Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee Met June 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Cahoe, Barragree, Marcier, Rushbrook, Alderwomen Ulfers and Musk, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Garfield

GUESTS: Kenny Baier with the Fire Department, Police Chief Jeremy Douglas

Alderwoman Ulfers opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. There was no public comment. Police Chief Jeremy Douglas stated the Auxiliary Department training for last month was learning the report writing program. The Auxiliary department helped with security for Dralle’s anniversary party and they will be on duty for the 4th of July.

Ken Baier with the Fire Department spoke next. He stated the department had 1 fire, 1 traffic accident, 6 fire alarms, 1 EMS Assist, 1 Rescue, 2 mutual aid calls (Crescent City & Papineau), 1 auto aid, 1 CO call, and 1 brush fire to Martinton for a total of 15 calls. Training for May was station maintenance, hose deployment with advancement, pump training with hydrant water and nozzle control and portable fire extinguisher. Kenny stated Hayden Peters and Drew Douglas will be completing the fire academy in June. John Witzman is finishing up his EMT B, and Tom Sandeno is finishing his advance firefighter class. Kenny stated 2932 is out of service due to needing pump work done on it. It went to St. John for the valve leak. Ken stated the department is adding one more on to the paid-on call roster. Fire Chief Tim Ketchum thanked the committee for the support they have given him through the years and he stated the committee’s choice in putting Kenny Baier as Fire Chief was the right choice.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He stated the department had 334 calls for the month of May. Chief stated he had 3 officers attend the funeral for Officer Oberheim. Squad 1 has been fixed and the money has been received from the insurance company. Chief stated Heartland Hero’s Tour came through the city with 80 motorcycles. This was a trial run for them as next year they are planning on 400 motorcycles. Chief reported the department is really needing new portable radios. He has a quote from KC Communications for $675 each for 25 radios for a cost of $16,875.00. He would like to use the COVID money for this purchase. These are the same radios that the Sheriff’s office uses and they are analog/digital. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to purchase 25 Kenwood Analog/Digital Portable radios from KC Communication for a total of $16,875.00 and to use COVID money for the purchase. Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Chief also discussed purchasing body cams for the department. He would like to have a total of 15 and it could cost about $875.00 per cam and there is an additional charge for the storage. He is still gathering information and will bring this back to the committee again next month. COVID funds will be used for this purchase also. Chief stated everyone is aware of the new business that has moved into N Jefferson St. There are numerous vehicles that have appeared. The new renter stated he had called City Hall to ask about bringing in a new business and he was told the city doesn’t have business licenses. It was stated the property has flooded and there is no parking lot to park the vehicles. This will be discussed more next week in Code Enforcement.

Chief reported he has been asked if there is an ordinance regarding jake breaking and he stated yes, he found an ordinance prohibiting it.

Chief also asked the committee to think about having a city picnic for the employees and their families. The employees themselves could bring the food and drink and maybe get the pool for an afternoon. The committee thought this was a good idea.

Mayor Allhands stated each committee member has a letter regarding the gas tax from Pence Oil in their mailboxes.

Alderwoman Ulfers stated Marvin is going to let the parade committee use a trailer. The committee is asking for service people to be on the float with them as the theme this year is Proud to be an American!

Alderwoman Ulfers makes a motion to adjourn at 7:30 pm and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/public-safety-6-8-21.pdf