Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met April 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2022. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment: None

David Weideman was in attendance he and his family own a piece of land by the boat launch in the floodway, he is asking the city to vacate the lots they would like to sell it for it to be used for recreational purposes, City Attorney Cainkar will need to do an ordinance for this, everyone on the council was good with this.

Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering-Engineering Design Road Rehabilitation Engineering Services and Kay St and Mulberry St Sewer projects-Keith shared that he never sent over the proposal for the council’s approval. Mayor shared the bids for crack sealing IPC will be getting a new product called Mastic they would like to try and use, there was discussion about 4th Street it is wider and has bigger holes and the railroad tracks by 4th & Mulberry need work Keith will be back in town on Thursday and will look at these locations he will also call Freehill’s and the Mayor will get Keith copies of all of the bids. Another location discussed was Grant Street City Attorney Cainkar need to prepare a simple certification for this and it can be approved at a committee meeting. Keith gave an update the work being done on Kay/Mulberry is being done under local funds so there is no permit fee with the state no reimbursements will be done, Walnut sidewalks he met with Dustin of Public Works and IPC to look at these areas. Keith is applying for the permit he looked at the sites the driveway apron slope they are not ADA compliant driveways and sidewalks need taken out due to not being ADA Compliant. IPC got prices Keith needs to talk to them to confirm the cost or a different option was brought up using concrete/brick.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2634-Amending Title 11, Building Regulations, of the Watseka City Code, by Changing Permit Fees Applicable to Certain Construction Activities

• Ordinance #2642-Amending Title 2, Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Section 2-2-7, Appointments and Hires, And Section 2-2-9, Compensation of The Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2643-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 207 West Maple Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2644-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 225 West North Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2645-Amending Title 5, health, Sanitation and Environment Chapter 6, Vegetation Control, of The Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2646-Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Commonly Known at 524 North Second Street, in the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2647-Authorizing and providing for the Reissuance and Extension of a $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2634-Amending Title 11, Building Regulations, of the Watseka City Code, by Changing Permit Fees Applicable to Certain Construction Activities

• Ordinance #2642-Amending Title 2, Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Section 2-2-7, Appointments and Hires, And Section 2-2-9, Compensation of The Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2643-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 207 West Maple Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2644-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 225 West North Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2645-Amending Title 5, health, Sanitation and Environment Chapter 6, Vegetation Control, of The Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2646-Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Commonly Known at 524 North Second Street, in the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2647-Authorizing and providing for the Reissuance and Extension of a $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to set the Consent Agenda Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Musk to Approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0. Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to pay claims in the amount $482,089.46 Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Ulfers to Accept and Place on file the March Treasurer Report. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Musk Fox Group CPA Engagement Letter fiscal year 2022- 2023 $45,000. Motion passed 7-0

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Pay Rate increases-Police Chief pay rate3.5%=$53.72/hr. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Pay Rate increases- Deputy Police Chief pay rate 7%=$41.47/hr. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Pay Rate increases- Police Secretary pay rate 18.48%=$20.00/hr. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Pay Rate increases- Austin Kidwell pay rate 11.75% to $23.78/hr. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe Pay Rate increases- Jason Langellier pay rate 11.34% to $24.54/hr. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Yard Waste employee’s Pay Rate increases- pay rate 33.33% to $18.00/hr. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield Pay Rate increases- Fire Chief’s Salary to $18,000/yr. Motion passed 7-0

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Pay Rate increases- Administrative Assistant 5% = $26.65/hr. Motion passed 7-0

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Pay Rate increases- Building Inspector pay rate 5% to $26.48/hr. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

All pay increases effective 5/1/22.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Transfer from general Fund 1-10-1000 into 1-10- 1045 $155,000 (Capital Equipment Purchase line item)Motion passed 7-0

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Approve Balanced Budget for fiscal year 2022- 2023. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Purchase Refurbished Lift from Alexander Equipment for $23,000. Motion passed 7-0.

Freehill Asphalt $49,008 for school areas-No action was taken

Freehill Asphalt $71,915 for 2nd St North & 5th St North & South-No action was taken

Freehill Asphalt $48,590 for 3rd St North & South-No action was taken

• Public Works

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier ICC Agreement for S. 4th St. Railroad. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe $800 donation to the Watseka Farmers Market. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield A Total of 3 Sergeant Positions within the Police Department. Alderwoman Ulfers shared right now there is one and 2 will be appointed. Motion passed 7-0

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree $5,000 Façade Grant for 807 W Lafayette St. Motion passed 7-0

• Water/Wastewater Report

None

• Personnel Committee

None

• Liquor Committee

None

• Miscellaneous Business

Police Pension Discussion-Mayor gave a hand out to the council, he shared that if they were to proceed with the bond they could save the citizens some funds, Mayor also shared that the rates have went up and they will go up again in May, if the council had voted to approve the bond they could have saved the citizens $314,599.00, discussion was had about asking the accountant to come explain to the council why they should hold off on doing this and not approve it now this was mentioned at the last meeting, Mayor has asked Alderwoman Ulfers to ask the accountant to come to a meeting.

E. Walnut St. Sidewalk Project-Keith touched on this earlier in the meeting.

Reports from Officers- None

Alderman Garfield shared that the electronic recycling event will take place on September 10th from 8a-noon location to be determined.

Alderman Cahoe shared that he has gotten a couple of calls about food trucks setting up in Watseka, did the city have any rules or regulations on this they do not he spoke with Eric, Alderman Cahoe took a call of another brick in mortar business complaining about the food truck setting up in their parking lot where this business pays taxes and sales tax here where the food truck might not pay any of these fees, Alderman Cahoe asked if they should look into a business license for these types of food trucks. Discussion was had amongst the council they did not feel this was fair, we cannot keep food trucks from coming to town, that their services are a treat something different for our citizens and our local businesses use their services.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:54pm. Motion passed 7-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/council-meeting-4-26-22.pdf