Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met March 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook

GUEST: Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:51 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Supervisor Dustin Standish was absent so Alderman Miller and Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering reported on the following projects:

Streets: Street sweeper is at C&L for an electrical issue. Road patching will start when the plant starts to make asphalt. There was a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of cold mix versus hot mix and cold mix and gravel in the larger pot holes. Keith stated cold mix is roughly $150/ton which is much more than asphalt.

The department has been doing restoration work on grass due to snow plow damage, and they are starting work on the sidewalks from 5th to 8th Street on E Walnut St. After the sidewalks are removed the tree company will take out the stumps from the trees that were cut down last fall. Mayor Allhands stated he applied for a grant through Trees Forever but it was denied, he was wanting it for the 5th St to 8th St area on E. Walnut St.

Sewer: Repaired a catch basin at 733 S 2nd St, worked on the Kay Park manhole repair, 704 S 4th St and 311 W Mulberry sewer repairs, 605 W Park Ave sewer repair due to Metro Boring Company, corner of Boughton and Sycamore had a new catch basin installed due to a collapse, and the push camera is being repaired at EJ Equipment. Alderman Miller stated the camera is getting older and they are looking at it to see if its even worth fixing.

Parks: Emptied garbage cans, starting to schedule installation of new playground equipment at Peters park and cleaned up the leaves around all the fencing at the parks. Work Report: 36 locates and 17 sewer jettings

Alderman Miller stated he talked to Building Inspector Eric Brandt and he stated the tax sale is coming up soon and the lot at 327 W Park Ave is on it and that is the lot the city would like to have for drainage. He stated there are also a couple of houses on that list that the city might want. Alderman Miller will talk more to Eric.

Mr. Mulholland with Robinson stated the sewer on Brown and Mulberry needs to have the old manhole removed and 20 ft of pipe replaced and he thinks this is a bit more than the city could do, so he is asking the committee about putting it out for bids. Once this is done Insituform can come in and finishing lining the sewer in that area. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the council to move forward with getting bids for the Brown & Mulberry St manhole and pipe replacement. Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

There was discussion concerning the easements on Elm St. The landowners have met with the city and it went well, they are asking for a field entrance to be relocated, remove trees on Elm St and put in water taps for homes to hook up to. The only thing that isn’t in agreement at this time is a sidewalk. Keith is going to get in touch with Attorney Cainkar to get started on the easements.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:15 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/public-works-3-15-22.pdf