Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Sept. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook 

GUESTS: Fire Chief Ken Baier and Detective Curtis Marcot, Eric Raymond 911 Coordinator  

Alderwoman Ulfers opened the meeting at 7:00pm. There was no public comment. Auxiliary  Officer Mark Garfield stated his department helped with the Watseka Family Festival and a train  vs truck accident. The department reviewed the festival operations. They will also be helping  with Harvest Days in October and will be assisting the police department with patrol on  Halloween night. The department has had 1 member resign and another was released for  inactivity. They will be putting out ads for more members. 

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 1 motor vehicle crash, 2 auto aid with Crescent  City, 2 mutual aid calls to Crescent City, 1 smoke/odor investigation, 3 structure fires, 1 brush  fire, 4 lift assists, 1 CO alarm, 1 rescue, and 1 automatic alarm for the month of August.  Training for August consisted of district driving, FAE review and practical, building construction  and preplan, MABAS deployment of tent set up, and water supply operations. Chief Baier stated  the department had a new cut off saw donated to them by T&D Metal at a cost of $2700.00,  the 26 portable radios have been purchased but not shipped yet, all 25 fire extinguishers have  had their yearly test done, and the ap I am responding has been put in place and seems to be  working well. The department helped with Watseka Family Festival and the MABAS tent and  lights were used along with the command trailer. Chief Baier stated most of the osha  requirements have been met except for the physicals that will be done on September 21st.  There was another short list of items they wanted with a deadline of Wednesday but those  were taken care of today. Chief stated he has given the committee a copy of the only quote  that was received from Dralles for $50,650.00 which includes the police package, emergency  light package, 2 radios, vehicle marking and lettering and the installation. Alderman Garfield  makes a motion to purchase the command vehicle 2022 Chevy Tahoe with all the  equipment for a cost of $50,650.00 and to pay from capital purchase and Alderman  Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Chief Baier stated he has asked Eric Raymond to  attend the meeting tonight to talk about moving a line from the fire department to ICOM as  they use it. This will cost the city to move the line but in the long run it will save the city  money. This is a work in progress and more will be discussed next month.  

Detective Curtis Marcot spoke next. He stated the police department had 311 calls for service in  August. The department was able to get rid of a lot of electronics with the electronic recycling  event that was held on Saturday. Detective Marcot, King and Officer Harris attended an IDEOA  conference. Det. Marcot stated Chief Douglas had looked into trading in the Chrysler 300 at 

Dralles but the trade in value was not enough. He is wanting to put this out for bid. After some  discussion the committee stated they are ok with it and tell the Chief to move forward. Det.  Marcott stated the siren at the high school is not working so they have called Regan  Communication to fix it, they should be here this week.  

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to go into executive session at 7:15 for  promotion, compensation and discipline of employees. Alderman Barragree  seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Officer Hall, Muench, Stanley and Marcott are in  attendance.  

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to go back to regular session at 7:28 and  Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. 

Alderwoman Ulfers stated no action was taken in executive session.  

Alderwoman Ulfers thanked the many departments that helped with the Family Festival.  Alderman Garfield then thanked the festival committee for all their hard work.  

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

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/public-safety-9-14-21.pdf