Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met Sept. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Cahoe, Marcier, Miller, Garfield, Alderwoman Musk, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Barragree, and Rushbrook

GUESTS: Rick and Donna Orr, Nita Dubble, Monna Ulfers

Mayor Allhands opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. During Public Comment Rick Orr spoke about the sewer jetting ordinance and who is responsible in the right of way the city or the homeowner? There was a lengthy discussion concerning this.

Nita Dubble with the Police and Fire Commission spoke next. She reported a public notice has been published regarding the new rules and regulations. This will be adopted by the commission at their October meeting. The commission also held elections with Nita being Chairman, Alex Knapp Vice Chairman and Dawn Turcany Secretary. Nita also reported the current ordinance will need to be redone to reduce the size of the commission from 5 to 3. Former Alderwoman Monna Ulfers spoke next. Monna asked why she was taken off the agenda. She stated on 8/30/22 she attended the purchasing committee meeting and handed in her resignation for the council and the Watseka Family Festival. There was discussion had from Monna about Mayor Allhands not paying to attend the concert. Mayor Allhands stated he has supported the concerts by doing things behind the scenes. He stated he didn’t ask to be let in for nothing. Former Alderwoman Ulfers stated she didn’t resign because of her health and no she is not moving. There was more general discussion involving the festival.

Mark Garfield stated his department had no monthly meeting and they had 3 details, garage fire on E Walnut, accident on North St and the Watseka Family Festival.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 3 fires, 4 EMS assists, 4 MVA’s, 4 automatic alarms, 2 auto aid calls, and 7 other miscellaneous calls. The departments training for August consisted of pumping scenarios, water supply, fire critique and semi fire, building construction, propane burn through IFSI. Chief Baier stated Lt. Brault took a command class, firefighter Gamino, Woods and Tobeck are in the fire academy classes. Chief Baier stated the lease agreement on an ambulance has been finalized with Riverside. Beginning October 1st Riverside will only be staffing 1 ambulance and the fire department should be up and running by November 1st to help with calls for service. Chief stated there will be about 1 month where there will be a shortage for ambulance service.

Chief Baier stated he has been in to talk to Dollar General and they were given a warning to have the aisles clear within a week and they did! Chief Baier stated he is still working on the Garcia property on E Walnut St.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas spoke next. He stated his department had 361 calls for service during August. Chief Douglas stated he hopes to have the body cam and car cams info for next months meeting. He stated they are both required by 2025 and he will be using the COVID money to purchase these. Chief stated the department had hired a lateral officer and the other officer that is still going to school has begun his field training.

Alderman Garfield stated the city and the county held the electronic recycle event last Saturday and they had 230 cars go through the line. They used the Riverside Parking lot and Mark thanked them for that along with the Watseka FFA group and Alderman Marcier and Miller for helping. Alderman Garfield asked the committee about making a $300 donation to the Watseka FFA for all their help this year and in the past years. The committee thinks this is a good idea.

Alderwoman Musk thanked Alderwoman Ulfers for all her work during her time as an Alderwoman and she enjoyed working with her.

Donna Orr spoke about landlords being responsible for their tenant’s water bills and she thinks this needs to be looked at again.

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to adjourn at 7:01 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 6-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Public-safety-9-13-22.pdf