Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Water/Wastewater Committee met Jan. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Resident Charles Gomez, Water Superintendent Greg Marks via phone and Dustin Standish

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. During public comment Chuck Gomez from the Watseka Theatre at 208 E Walnut St. spoke about a flooding issue he had in his basement at the Theatre caused from frozen broken pipes and the city not being able to find a shut off in the alley he claims. He stated he lost some new chairs, a freezer, and some carpeting and some painting supplies due to the excessive water that flooded his basement. After speaking he gave the city some pictures and a timeline of events to turn into the insurance company.

Water Superintendent Greg Marks spoke next regarding the placement of a new well that is even more important now that well 6 has been shut down per IEPA. It was stated there is $324,000 in ARP funds that could be used for this. Dustin stated he has met with the landowners tonight before the meeting regarding easements that are needed on Elm St. Dustin stated he met with Bob Marquis, he has a fence that is on city property in the back and he is willing to swap land for the 30 ft in the front for the 30 ft in the back where is his fence is that the city will need for easements.

Greg stated he would like to even look into the possibility of 2 new wells, one at the west tower and one possibly on Cherry St where the other well was capped years ago. It was stated the county also has ARP monies available that the city could apply for. It was reported it would be a good idea for Robinson Engineering, Greg and Dustin all go together to talk to the county about the available funds. After more lengthy discussions Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to start testing for a new well at the west tower using arp monies and Alderman Rushbrook seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. Greg stated they are still working on well 6 and are hoping to isolate where the problem is coming from. Greg stated the IEPA is having the department flush the well several times to see if it can be cleared up. Greg and Dustin would like to have a company come to Watseka and insert a valve in the line to be able to flush well 6 several times to see if the vinyl chloride will clear up. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to insert a valve to be able to flush well 6 for an approximate cost not to exceed $4000 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. There was some discussion about vinyl chloride being a gas. Greg stated he and the IEPA went to several areas around town looking for different possibilities, but nothing was found. Greg stated the city has never been over the limit before and they are wondering if it could be caused from actually cleaning of the well. This will be an ongoing investigation until they find the source. There was a lengthy discussion held on putting in line valves in different spots along E Walnut St. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the Council to add in line valves 2-12 inch now, and 2-8 inch at a later time. Alderwoman Ulfers seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. Alderman Cahoe asked what happened to the vac truck again as it seems it is down a lot. Dustin stated the department has no parts in stock for the little things but they are working on that to have hoses and clamps in house but the latest problem was a diesel exhaust problem that the manufacturer is aware of. There were questions posed about billing the boring company for all the problems they have caused the city and Mayor Allhands stated he and city attorney Cainkar have been working on this. It was reported before the boring companies came to the city a letter was sent to the city and that letter should have been forwarded to the city attorney but it seems to have gotten lost in the system somewhere.

Alderwoman Ulfers asked if next there was a major water main break and water pressure throughout the city was going to be down if the Aldermen could get a text message from either Greg or Dustin so they know what to tell their constituents in their wards. Dustin stated yes they can do this.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/water-wastewater-1-18-22.pdf