Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met March 22.

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. Absent were Alderwoman Musk and Alderman Rushbrook.

Executive Session, pursuant to sec. 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act, to discuss the appointment, employment, and compensation of specific employees . No executive session was held.

Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Marcier to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 22, 2022. Motion passed 6-0.

Public Comment: Austin Kidwell with other employees of the Public Works Department and Water Department were in attendance. Mr. Kidwell shared that they were all in attendance to share their thoughts on Dustin Standish as the public Works Director, Mr. Kidwell shared he shows the employees respect, he gives them encouragement, he works side by side with his crew, he has united both departments, moral has improved, better communication and teamwork both departments are happy and that they all support Dustin as their Public Works Director, Mr. Kidwell thanked the council for their time. All of the employees who were in attendance stood up and introduced themselves to the council.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2636-Providing for the Issuance of a $1,551,645 General Obligation Bond, Series 2022A, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois and Providing for the levy of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient to Pay the Principal and Interest on Said Bond

• Ordinance #2637-Providing for the Issue of Not to Exceed $7,000,000 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, For the Purpose of Funding All or A Portion of the Unfunded Police Pension Fund Liability of Said City; Funding A pension Budget Stabilization Fund; and Providing for the Levy of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient to pay the Principal and Interest on said Bonds

• Ordinance #2638-Approving the Reservation of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues and Related Matters, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County

• Ordinance #2639-Amending Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 1, Police Department, by Amending Section 6-1-3; Department Personnel; Section 6-1-7: Auxiliary Police, and by Adding Section 6-1- 4.1: Departmental Positions; Deputy Chief of Police: Corporals, of the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2640-Amedning Title 4, Business and License Regulations, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 4-2-7, Classification of Licenses, and Section 4-2-9, License Fees pf the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2641-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article G, Electric Utility Tax, of the Watseka City Code

• Resolution #2022-1-Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for the Appropriation of $346,325.15 with Rebuild Illinois Funds

• Resolution #2022-2-Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for the Appropriation of $440,000.00 with Motor Fuel Funds

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2636-Providing for the Issuance of a $1,551,645 General Obligation Bond, Series 2022A, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois and Providing for the levy of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient to Pay the Principal and Interest on Said Bond

• Ordinance #2637-Providing for the Issue of Not to Exceed $7,000,000 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, For the Purpose of Funding All or A Portion of the Unfunded Police Pension Fund Liability of Said City; Funding A pension Budget Stabilization Fund; and Providing for the Levy of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient to pay the Principal and Interest on said Bonds

• Ordinance #2638-Approving the Reservation of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues and Related Matters, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County

• Ordinance #2639-Amending Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 1, Police Department, by Amending Section 6-1-3; Department Personnel; Section 6-1-7: Auxiliary Police, and by Adding Section 6-1-4.1: Departmental Positions; Deputy Chief of Police: Corporals, of the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2640-Amedning Title 4, Business and License Regulations, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 4-2-7, Classification of Licenses, and Section 4-2-9, License Fees pf the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2641-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article G, Electric Utility Tax, of the Watseka City Code

• Resolution #2022-1-Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for the Appropriation of $346,325.15 with Rebuild Illinois Funds

• Resolution #2022-2-Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for the Appropriation of $440,000.00 with Motor Fuel Funds

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to set the Consent Agenda with removing Ordinance #2637 and Ordinance #2641 to be discussed further. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Ulfers to Approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 6-0.

Ordinance #2637-Providing for the Issue of Not to Exceed $7,000,000 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, For the Purpose of Funding All or A Portion of the Unfunded Police Pension Fund Liability of Said City; Funding A pension Budget Stabilization Fund;

and Providing for the Levy of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient to pay the Principal and Interest on said Bonds-No action was taken tabled until they hear more from the State of Illinois.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2641-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article G, Electric Utility Tax, of the Watseka City Code. Motion passed 4-2 with Alderman Garfield and Miller voting no, Mayor Allhands voted yes the Motion passed 5-2.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier to pay claims in the amount $227,048.19. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe to Accept and Place on file the February Treasurer Report. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe Rescind a motion to transfer #37,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into IMRF Fund 4-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier Rescind a motion to transfer $20,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into social security fund 3-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Transfer $173,178 from video gaming 1-10-1048 into police pension 40-10-4005. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Transfer $354,628 from general fund 1-10-8000 into streets & alley fund 6-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Reduce general fund deficit cash account Watseka Family Festival $219.46. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Mowing of City Property/Parks and Residential/DNR lots for 2022. Alderman Cahoe shared that Precision Mowing is no longer in business so Public Works will be taking over the two contracts that Precision Mowing had which is Residential/DNR lots. Motion passed 6-0.

• Public Works

Get Bids for Brown & Mulberry St Manhole and Pipe Replacement, Keith from Robinson gave an update on this this will be put out for bids, no action was taken.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree $7500 donation to the Knights of Columbus for Fireworks they will be on Monday, July 4th. Motion passed 6-0.

Promotions of Sergeant Positions with Police Department-Nita Dubble was present on behalf of the Police Commission she shared they had a meeting last night and set some guidelines they hope to have these guidelines done for the Public Safety Meeting, and then for the full council at the April meeting no other action was taken.

• Code Enforcement

None

• Water/Wastewater Report

None

• Personnel Committee

None

• Liquor Committee

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier Approve 2022-2023 Liquor, Gaming, & Cigarette, & Raffle Licenses contingent upon payment. Motion passed 6-0.

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Amber Findlay to Library Board replaces Lesa Corzine to expire 7/1/2023. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Chamber of Commerce City Wide Garage Sales days-May 20 & 21 and August 12 & 13, 2022. Motion passed 6-0.

Reports from Officers- None

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:42pm. Motion passed 6-0. Amanda Hibbs, City Clerk

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Council-Meeting-3-22-2022.pdf