Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met Aug. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Garfield, Alderwoman Ulfers and Musk, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook

GUESTS: Public Works Director Dustin Standish

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Dustin Standish reported on the following:

Streets: sprayed for mosquitos 2 times a week for 3 weeks, (Kevin Ailey has taken and passed his mosquito tests), ran street sweeper after storms, cleaned up brush, and limbs from storm damage, cleared storm inlets, sprayed weeds on roads and other city properties, poured concrete for sidewalk across from the high school for student crossing, mowing of city properties, trimmed trees around signs, poured concrete a 6th & Fanyo and 3rd & Oak St., poured concrete at McDonalds, and watered flowers in the downtown area. There was discussion about the lack of watering in the downtown area flowers. They have been pulled. It was suggested maybe next year artificial flowers could be put on those baskets on the poles. There was a lengthy discussion that followed with no solutions.

Sewer: Repaired sinkholes at 8th & Cherry, 2nd & Adams, 3rd & Oak and 8th & Elm Parks: Pressure washed tennis courts at Peters Park, installed bathroom doors at Peters Park, maintained pool and pool testing, and swept the walking path at Lakeveiw Park Miscellaneous: Restoration done on dig sites, assisted on several water main repairs throughout the city

Work Report: 70 locates, 3 sewer jetting jobs, tree dump work

Public Works Director Standish stated Ornesto Ortega has passed his CDL and Mosquito testing. There was also a discussion about 3 trees that need to come down on Yount Ave on an IDNR property. Alderwoman Musk stated there are x’s on the trees that need to be removed. Alderman Cahoe asked about the hole on 8th & Elm that has barricades around it, he is questioning when the concrete will be poured. Public Works Director Standish stated they are going to do other sites at the same time and they are getting those sites prepped. They stated they are also having trouble getting in touch with Peoples to pour the concrete. It was suggested to try Forrest Redi Mix in Gilman.

Yardwaste Discussion: Alderwoman Musk stated she called Mr. Crowley back but he was having family health issues. She has been in contact with Representative Tom Bennett’s office but she hasn’t heard anything from them. She has also called Robinson’s office and they had no answers for her either. It was tabled for now as there isn’t much more the city can do for now.

Public Works Director Dustin Standish and Alderwoman Musk had a heated discussion about many topics and Mayor Allhands and Aldermen Barragree and Marcier also had a few comments.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:26 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/public-works-8-17-21.pdf