Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met June 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor John Allhands at 7:09pm. Present were Aldermen Marcier, Cahoe, Barragree, Miller & Alderwoman Musk. Absent were Alderman Rushbrook and Alderman Garfield.

Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Musk to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of May 24th 2022. Motion passed 6-0.

Public Comment: None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2637-An Ordinance Providing for the Issue of Not To Exceed $5,200,00 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022B, 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 #2649-An Ordinance Creating and Establishing an Additional Fund of the City of Watseka to be known as the Infrastructure Fund

• Ordinance #2650-An Ordinance Amending the Watseka City Code by Changing the Depository Fund into Which Certain Tax Proceeds will be Deposited

• Ordinance #2651-An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Know as 231 W Park Ave, Watseka, IL

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2637-An Ordinance Providing for the Issue of Not To Exceed $5,200,00 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022B, 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 #2649-An Ordinance Creating and Establishing an Additional Fund of the City of Watseka to be known as the Infrastructure Fund

• Ordinance #2650-An Ordinance Amending the Watseka City Code by Changing the Depository Fund into Which Certain Tax Proceeds will be Deposited

• Ordinance #2651-An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 231 W Park Ave, Watseka, IL

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Barragree to set the Consent Agenda removing Ordinance #2637 Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Marcier to Approve the Consent Agenda removing Ordinance #2637 Motion passed 6-0.

• Ordinance #2637-An Ordinance Providing for the Issue of Not To Exceed $5,200,00 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022B, 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 Alderwoman Ulfers wanted it on the record that she has nothing against this she just does not feel like this is a good time, she would like to see what the future is going to be like, Attorney Cainkar said that waiting until the market turns is probably a good idea we can come back to this. A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller to approve Ordinance #2637 Motion was a tie 3-3 with Alderwomen Musk and Ulfers voting no, Aldermen Marcier voting no, Aldermen Cahoe, Miller and Barragree voting yes.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller to pay claims in the amount $582,909.32. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Musk, seconded by Miller to Accept and Place on file the May Treasurer Report. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Musk Transfer $7981.75 from pooled cash account local gas tax 6-10-1005 street and alleys. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier IPC bid for $30,300 to resurface the alley between S 4th & S 5th St. pay for out of Capital Equipment line item. Motion passed 6-0.

• Public Works

None

• Public Safety

None

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Ulfers $5,000 Façade Grant for 342 W Walnut St. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Marcier Lee Excavating $36,500 to demolish 101 Fidler Ct, 528 N 5th, 801 S 2nd & 247 S Yount Ave through DNR Grant. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Cahoe Start demolition proceedings on 904 N Chicago-garage. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier 413 N Kay-Public Works demolish home and put lien on property. Motion passed 6-0.

• Water/Wastewater Report

None

• Personnel Committee

None

• Liquor Committee

None

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Musk to hire and enter into employment agreement with Loren Grosvenor as Director of Public Works effective 7-8-22 not 7-5-22. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Discussion and action on E Walnut St Sidewalks Motion passed 5-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no. Keith from Robinson handed out information sheets on the cost and what would be included to all the council members, and he did a brief recap. Alderwoman Musk shared that she thought that the new PW Director should make this decision. Alderman Cahoe shared the work will start the week of the 4th. Street Scape Review, Discussion, Suggestions Mayor Allhands shared he had met with Neil Piggish and went over some things all of the council members have been given copies the mayor asked for any suggestions or comments to let him or Cathy know by this Friday. If the grant Is approved and the project can be done discussion was had on holding a Public Forum or a business meeting to let the public know the plans.

Mayor Allhands shared the city has bought the property downtown the old Shorty’s lot, he mentioned possibly trying to clean up or do something about the properties that don’t look so good if the Street Scape grant does get approved what should the city do about some of those shabby looking properties.

Alderman Marcier said he was approached by Karen Davis the pool manager that she has not had a raise in 5 years could she get a raise…Alderman Barragree said that the budget is tight he had not budgeted for this pay increase at this time.

Alderwoman Ulfers asked if the City was going to be in the 4th of July parade to get the form from Amanda at the Chamber and get registered.

Report from Officers-None

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree to Adjourn meeting at 7:41pm. Motion passed 6-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/council-meeting-6-28-22.pdf