Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Sept. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor John Allhands at 6:30pm. 

Present were Aldermen Marcier, Cahoe, Barragree, Miller & Alderwomen Musk 

Absent Alderman Rushbrook & Garfield.

Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Musk to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August 23rd, 2022 & September 20, 2022. Motion passed 5-0.

Public Comment: None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2660-Vacating Streets and Alleys (Or Portions Thereof) Being North of the North Right-Of-Way Line of Main Street and South Of The North Right-Of-Way Line of Canal Street and East Of The West Shoreline Of The Iroquois River and West Of The West Right-Of-Way Line Of Market Street in the City Of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2661- Ordinance of the City of Watseka Granting a Variation From Various Parking Requirements On the Property Commonly Known As 100 Laird Lane, Watseka, Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2660-Vacating Streets and Alleys (Or Portions Thereof) Being North of the North Right-Of-Way Line of Main Street and South Of The North Right-Of-Way Line of Canal Street and East Of The West Shoreline Of The Iroquois River and West Of The West Right-Of-Way Line Of Market Street in the City Of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2661- Ordinance of the City of Watseka Granting a Variation From Various Parking Requirements On the Property Commonly Known As 100 Laird Lane, Watseka, Illinois

Ordinance #2660-No action was taken.

Eric LaVoie and John Devine were present, Mr. Devine represents Mr. LaVoie. Mr. Devine spoke to the council he shared that Mr. LaVoie has 4 portable units on skids, discussion was had on how much of the property was asphalt and how much was not that is rock surface, this area is not used for public parking, Mr. LaVoie is having a hard time wrapping his head around this he does not feel he has violated a required parking ordinance, he shared that a few other businesses north of town that have rock and nothing has been said to them. Mr. LaVoie is willing to move the portable units to asphalt no problem he sated he gets called everyday about storage units or he could just get rid of them and citizens can go out of town, taking their money out of town etc. Mr. Devine then shared a picture of the property with the council, the council would like for Mr. Devine to speak with Keith from Robinson going forward with their questions they have so they are compliant.

• A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2661- Ordinance of the City of Watseka Granting a Variation From Various Parking Requirements On the Property Commonly

Known As 100 Laird Lane, Watseka, Illinois. Motion passed 5-1 with Mayor Allhands voting yes and Alderman Miller abstaining.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe to pay claims in the amount $484,875.80. Motion passed 5-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller to Accept and Place on file the August Treasurer Report. Motion passed 5-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Watseka Family Festival donation $50,000. Motion passed 5-0.

• Public Works 

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Musk Core and Main Purchase 475 meters annually at $135 each payable from water and sewer fund. Motion passed 5-0. A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Purchase a Bush Hog from McCullough Implement for $8000. Motion passed 5-0.

• Public Safety 

None

• Code Enforcement 

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Cahoe Facade Grant to Justin Nichols for $5000. Motion passed 5-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Marcier Façade Grant McKenzie Walwer for $3500. Motion passed 5-0.

• Water/Wastewater Report 

None

• Personnel Committee 

None

• Liquor Committee 

None

Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Ratify Operators Local 399 Contract. Motion passed 5-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Cahoe Ratify Laborers Local 751 Contract. Motion passed 5-0.

Trick or Treat Hours 4-6 on October 31st-All good

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller Library appointment Stephanie Lagesse 3 year term expires 7/2025 (replaces Kris Lundquist who is retiring). Motion passed 5-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Musk Library appointment Colette Elliott balance of term expires 7/2023 (replaces Alex Knapp)

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Musk Prairie Archeology & Research Proposal for Martin Ave. Extension $4615.00. Motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Allhands shared about the ambulance contract; we are losing an ambulance in town. The Fire Dept. is going to lease an ambulance they have 9 firefighters who are paramedics it will be Basic Life Support, there is a meeting on this next week. Roger Dittrich was present to ask the council not to sign any contracts with Riverside as they violated their current contract, they are in default. Mr. Dittrich also praised the Festival committee for everything they done and he hopes that the city will continue to support the festival as out town needs it.

Alderman Marcier also said thank you to the festival committee for all of their hard work he is looking forward to next year.

Alderman Cahoe asked Keith if he could give a quick update Keith shared that IPC has started the Herron Court storm sewer project and then will be starting Jackson/Adams.

Report from Officers-None

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree to Adjourn meeting at 6:57pm. Motion passed 5-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/council-meeting-9-27-22.pdf