Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Work Committee met May 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook

GUESTS: Shonn Hild with Hild Landscaping and Resident Whitney Kingdon, Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. Shonn Hild with Hild Landscaping spoke during public comment. He stated his company comes in behind Metro boring to do the restoration work for Connxxus. They have a map of the areas they need to restore but he is asking for patience and if they are issues to please be kind to his employees as they didn’t make the mess but will fix the mess. They will bring in top soil, grade the areas and put seed down and straw on top of that. They will also fix the where the broken water mains were.

Resident Whitney Kingdon from 913 S 5th St spoke next during public comment. She stated she is having trouble with the usage on her water meter. She stated she is using water when she knows she isn’t home and her bathroom has just been completely remodeled. After a lengthy discussion Alderman Cahoe stated for Ms. Kingdon to fix the shut off in her basement the city will then locate her main shut off outside and will then install a new meter and if the new meter shows that she is still using the same amount of water then she will have to pay for the new meter at a cost of $150.00 because the meter that is in the home now is only 1 year old.

Alderman Miller reported on the following:

Streets: Pothole patching has been done, finished the restoration on Clarence Ave, ran street sweeper, mowed city lots, met with Shonn Hild from Hild Restoration, started watering flowers in the downtown flower baskets and planters, added gravel to driveways, Walnut St. sidewalk project.

Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering stated he has a quote from Road Safe for the E Walnut St. sidewalk project: for set up and take down of equipment $3400. After that the cost per day is $150. He stated this project can’t be started until the IDOT permit is received. Alderman Miller asked about the cost of the concrete and Keith stated he doesn’t have that cost yet. There was some discussion about holding off on this project until the highway project is done. Keith stated the other local road projects that the city has is still a work in progress. A question was asked about the apron at the westside fire station and Keith stated an IDOT permit will be needed for that also as a state highway is right there.

Sewer: replaced sewer cleanout at 5th & Sheridan, and fixed blockage around Mulberry & 3rd St.

Parks: emptied garbage cans, installed new playground equipment at Peters Park, still waiting on 3 parts that the city was shorted to complete the project which are to be shipped May 16th, fencing company is scheduled to fix a few things at Peters Park, hung new flags at Peters Park, repaired broken picnic table at Legion Park, pool is running with chemical treatment, ordered and received lifeguard suits , currently painting floors in the pool house, replaced all the wood on the picnic tables at Forest Park, installed 2 toilets, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, and toilet paper dispensers at Forest Park, pressure washed and water sealed steps at Forest Park, replaced concession cabinets at Forest Park, installed pond fountains, and contacted the pond treatment company.

Work Report: 45 locates and 14 sewer jettings

Alderwoman Ulfers stated there will not be any flags put out for Memorial Day because of the road project on route 24, she hopes to be able to get them out for the 4th of July.

Alderman Garfield asked about a brick retaining wall on N 4th St on the east side of the road by the ditch, the blocks are falling over. Public Works Director will be asked about this.

Alderman Cahoe stated last year the city was going to repave the alley between South 4th & 5th St behind Iroquois Federal Bank but it didn’t get done because it was to late in the year. Alderman Cahoe would now like to move forward with this project and he would also like to do the alleys from North 2nd to North 4th St. The IPC bid from last year for $30,300 for the South 4th to 5th St is still good. The North 2nd St alley to North 4th St alley can be paid for out of capital equipment. There is no estimate on this project yet.

Alderman Cahoe stated he has been approached by member of the Donovan Park board to see if the city would be interested in taking the park back. He stated in 1920 the Donovan Park was donated to the City and a trust fund has always managed it, but the fund is starting to run out of funds and would like for the city to pay for the insurance and mowing of the park. The park board will still take care of the playground equipment and the basketball hoops. The committee is ok with this.

Alderman Cahoe gave the committee an update on the Route 24 road project. He stated the project will be done in 3 phases, (1) 10th St to East Junction, (2) Union Pacific Railroad west to the bridge and (3) Union Pacific Railroad to 10th St. there will be no night work and the mill and overlay will not start until after Memorial Day, with asphalt work being done in June.

A question was asked why are public works laborers reading water meters and not the water laborers. It was stated there are 4 guys in the water department. Alderman Cahoe will talk to Greg about this.

Alderman Cahoe also asked about the railroad crossing being blocked for a lengthy time and he was told at one time that the city can’t give the engineer a citation but if there is a crossing guard then the city could charge the railroad at $250.00 fee per hour. Mayor Allhands will check with Attorney Cainkar about this.

Weeds in the downtown area were discussed briefly, it was stated public works laborers will take care of the weeds from Wal Mart all the way through town.

Alderman Miller asked about the sidewalk project and possibly pouring concrete over some water shut off valves. Keith stated he would look into this more.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:28 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/public-works-5-17-22.pdf