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