Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met June 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook

GUEST: Resident Art Janssen, Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. During Public comment resident Art Janssen talked about the concerns he has with his water bills. He stated December 2021 he used 2,000 gallons, January 3,000 gallons, February 2,000 gallons, March 9,000, (Mr. Janssen stated they were gone this month) gallons, April 2,000 gallons, and May 5,000 gallons. He stated some of

his neighbors are having the same trouble. The committee stated they will look into this and he was advised to have his water softener checked.

Keith Mulholland with Robinson reported on the following:

Test Well: the first test well drilling is complete and although they did find water the amount of water (gpm) was not sufficient enough to justify drilling a permanent well in that location. Keith stated they have 6 more locations to look at: Other side of the pond of where the first well was drilled, 5th & Hickory St, Elm St north of Well 6, west side of town, and southeast by the county buildings. There was some discussion about applying for more ARPA funds from the county for the test wells. Keith will right up a narrative to submit to the county. Well 6: Keith stated Greg has heard back from the IEPA and they have approved the draining of the well into a field next to well 6, but now he is waiting on the IEPA to approve the drainage.

Oxidation Ditch: A meeting was held with Paul Rusko and Keith Mulholland from Robinson Engineering to discuss a plan to move forward with diverting the flow to the inner rings to start work on the outer rings.

Low Interest EPA Loans: Keith stated the state ran out of funding for the Elm St water main project, they went with more critical needs funding. The city will be able to get a low interest low for the Kay St project but at this time it will not be a debt forgiveness loan. Sidewalks on E. Walnut from 5th to 8th St: Keith stated he will be meeting with Austin Kidwell and Jason Langellier on Wednesday to get a plan together. It was discussed they could be pulling out the old forms and remove the reminder of the tree roots. Keith stated the sidewalks will need an aggregate base under the concrete so more excavation will need to be done. There was discussion about the sidewalks on the south side of E Walnut and who took them out. It was reported it was the boring company. There are stumps there that need to be removed also.

Alderwoman Musk asked Mr. Mulholland how the inside of the treatment plant looked? She stated there was a list of projects to be done on the inside and have they been done. Keith

stated yes some have been but there are more to go. He will get an updated list to the committee.

Mayor Allhands asked about the grant to move the stop light boxes and Keith stated he hasn’t heard anything yet.

It was reported public work crews were cleaning up the test well site today.

There was discussion concerning the hole in pavement by Berkots and R.P. Lumber. It was reported R.P. Lumber had a water main leak under there business. It was stated they tried to feed a new line through the old line but there were to many elbows. Mayor Allhands stated maybe the city should try to help R.P. as they have helped the city by opening up the lumber yard and buying out Stock & Field. Keith will look at this tomorrow and see about maybe hiring a boring company to get the line to the building.

Discussion was had on the following: why a barrel is still sitting on Jackson Ave for over a year, a sink hole that is developing on E Elm St., lack of leadership in the departments, complaints about the yardwaste facility person not being there when open and not checking on people when they come through the gate, and piles of brush throughout the city that residents are expecting the city to pick up.

Alderman Cahoe stated IDOT has not done their job properly by leaving busted curbs, catch basins that are not installed correct and sidewalk ADA issues not done correctly. He will be sending a letter to IDOT.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to enter executive session at 8:00 for personnel and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to go back to regular session at 8:35 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 8:36 pm and Alderwoman Musk seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/public-works-6-21-22.pdf