Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Oct. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Miller to approve the City Council meeting minutes of September 28th 2021. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Comment: None

Jason Cahoe with Watseka Family Festival Discussion and possible action for donation, Mr. Cahoe was in attendance to give an update on the 2021 festival, he thanked the city for their continued support. He introduced the Festivals Board of Directors and shared names of a few new board members. He stated they are already working on the 2022 festival and that they need funds to book entertainment for 2022. Mr. Cahoe gave a run- down of all of the 2021 festival and some costs that were involved. The festival has their own tax ID now and they are waiting on their 501c4 from the IRS. Mr. Cahoe asked the city for an advance donation of $50,000 so they can book entertainment and stage for the 2022 festival the festival will take place the weekend before Labor Day. A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier to take $25,000 from Promotions and $25,000 from Capital Improvement. Motion passed 4-3 with the Mayor voting yes, Alderwoman Ulfers abstained, Alderman Rushbrook, Garfield and Alderwoman Musk voting no.

Police Pension President Mike VanHoveln to discuss Police Pension Funds-Mr. VanHoveln was in attendance to brief the council on the police pension that it is under -funded they need 6 ½ Million more they are at 4 Million they need to be at 5 Million so they can invest. Mr. VanHoveln also shared that members of the council are welcome to attend their meeting which is the 2nd Monday every quarter their next meeting is in January 2022. The question was asked how did the police pension get this way, he responded with only the minimum payments were being made per the city attorney they were under the impression they had until 2035 to fund it so that is why it is under -funded right now. The Mayor asked who sits on his board Mr. VanHoveln shared 2 appointed, 2 uniforms, and 1 retired. Mr. VanHoveln is also going to get the council a list of the investments.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2623-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 221 N 5th St. Watseka, IL.

• Ordinance #2624-Levying Taxes for General Corporate and Other Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2021 and Ending April 30, 2022 for the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2625-Levying Taxes for Library Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2021 and Ending April 30, 2022 for the Watseka Public Library, Iroquois County, Illinois. City Attorney Cainkar shared $184,500.00 Corporate, $4000.00 IMRF, $11,000.00 Social Security, and $1500.00 unemployment $201,000.00.

• Resolution #2021-2-Resolution Pertaining to Approval of a Parade Route & Street Closure.

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2623-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 221 N 5th St. Watseka, IL.

• Ordinance #2624-Levying Taxes for General Corporate and Other Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2021 and Ending April 30, 2022 for the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2625-Levying Taxes for Library Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2021 and Ending April 30, 2022 for the Watseka Public Library, Iroquois County, Illinois. City Attorney Cainkar shared $184,500.00 Corporate, $4000.00 IMRF, $11,000.00 Social Security, and $1500.00 unemployment $201,000.00.

• Resolution #2021-2-Resolution Pertaining to Approval of a Parade Route & Street Closure. A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Garfield to set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Garfield to Accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 8-0. Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier to pay claims in the amount $472,385.14. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Musk to Accept and Place on file the September Treasurer Report. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Rushbrook, seconded by Marcier IMLRMA (liability insurance) $158,335.65. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Miller Approval of Engagement with Teska Consultant Group relative to TIF 3 Extension 12 years maximum. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers Liquor Tax Allocation monies go to the Police Pension Fund. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield IPC $96,500.00 for S 7th St. from Locust to Mulberry St. improvements, pay from Capital Equipment line item. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Various Street improvements engineering discussion and possible action Oak St. from 5th to 8th St., Ash St. from 4th St. to 8th St., Hickory St. from 5th St. to 8th St., N. 6th St. from Walnut St. to Elm St., N. 7th St. from Walnut St., to Hickory St., Herron Ct. and Division St., W. Mulberry St. from Brown St. to Park Ave., Chicago St. from Newell St. to Iroquois St., Market St. from Lafayette St. to W. Iroquois St., Wabash St. from North St. to Jackson St., Jefferson Ave. from Belmont Ave. to 5th St. Grant St. from 10th St. to Ralph St., 8th St. from Walnut St. to Locust St., 3rd St. from Mulberry St. to Jefferson Ave., Adams St. from 2nd St. to 4th St. Motion passed 8-0.

• Public Works

None

• Public Safety

Fire Department Alarm System discussion of quotes and possible action-no quotes yet no action was taken.

Hiring of Lateral Police Officer Quincy Spears, Terry Pence was in attendance to share with the council this was their applicant of choice out of 4-5 applicants the list will be updated with the other 2 applicant’s names. No action was taken by the council.

• Code Enforcement

None

• Water/Wastewater Report

None

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Appoint Rick Elliott to Zoning Committee. Motion passed 8-0.

Reports from Officers- None

Alderman Garfield shared they city got a check from the county for $4,401.87 for their half of the electronic recycling event.

Alderman Cahoe shared Van from engineering should have the paperwork tomorrow for the drainage ditch project IPC does hope to get this done before winter.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:43pm. Motion passed 8-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/council-minutes-10-26-21.pdf