Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Oct. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Alderman Barragree. Present were Aldermen Cahoe, Barragree, Marcier, Miller, Garfield, and Alderwoman Musk. Absent Mayor Allhands and Alderman Rushbrook.

Alderman Barragree stated no Public Comment was on the agenda, but he would allow it.

Public Comment: Bill Nutter was in attendance he has a simple question for the council. The tax on cellphones how do you know who to tax? He has a Kentucky mailing address, and he noticed the tax for Watseka shows up on his bill, how do you know 471 is Watseka? Some discussion was had that it was a Telecommunications Tax that was passed and that the phone company determines who gets the tax. Mr. Nutter said the tax is very minimal, but this could be affecting other people outside of Illinois. Mr. Nutter feels this needs to be fair and he feels the city council should know more about an ordinance they passed, he asked can someone please get back to him or he asked what meeting did he need to come back to he wants an explanation, he shared with the council maybe they should get a list of the prefixes from the phone company that are being taxed so that they know more about it, he did state maybe an ordinance shouldn’t have been passed if the council cannot answer question when they are asked. It was left that the council will talk to the mayor to see if he can answer if not, they will ask the city attorney. Mr. Nutter was welcomed back to the meeting in 2 weeks, and they asked that he possibly get on the agenda.

Zoning Hearing on Ordinance #2662 Amending Title 12, Zoning, By Adding Chapter 16, Photovoltaic Systems, of The Watseka City Code.

Eric Brandt, Code Enforcement stated Manteno has this same ordinance that the only change is a few wording changes on ground mount systems, you must have a special use permit before a ground mount would be allowed it is designed and certified by a licensed engineer. Eric stated there is one in town that is 10 1/2 Feet high it’s on Mulberry Street across from the church, it is currently allowed but with this new ordinance it would not be. Discussion was had amongst the council back and forth, Alderman Garfield asked about the utility agreement within the ordinance why it is in there? Again, more back and forth with discussion on wires being exposed, the height of current things, if it is in a backyard and not visible why is it an issue, etc.

A Motion was made by Marcier to accept that Ordinance as written, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2662-Amending Title 12, Zoning, By Adding Chapter 16, Photovoltaic Systems, of The Watseka City Code. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderman Garfield voting no.

Other-Keith from Robinson was in attendance the council asked him for an update. Keith reported that the state has accepted the bid that IPC submitted for the Walnut Street stoplights however it is going to be 6 months or more that they are in poor condition due to the damaged detector loops. Locust St.

Sanitary Sewer it was supposed to start Rail Pros was supposed to have a flagger for this past Monday, however Rail Pros did not have the information in their system correctly and no flagger arrived. IPC is working through it they are going to come out and get it started this project is delayed. Highway Keith

reported they hope to have 90% of this done by Friday, Keith is still awaiting a schedule from them which he is supposed to have tomorrow for the milling and paving. Alderman Barragree shared there was a spot-on Ash St. that is in a dark area and open, Alderman Barragree just though of the safety issue. Keith shared they should have everything buttoned up by the weekend for Trick or Treaters on Monday. Alderman Cahoe shared he hopes that when this concrete company is done, they don’t come back Herron Ct, Adams, Division, Jefferson, and part of Ash need to be done and paved. Alderman Miller shared during public comment last night an individual from Herron Ct. shared that a lady got her car stuck over there and it took the civilians over 2 hours to get her out, if there is any damage it needs to be reported and Alderman Cahoe reported another incident that may have caused some radiator damage to a vehicle he is trying to figure out who the person is so it can be looked into.

Alderman Barragree shared with the upcoming Election November 8th Code and Public Safety will meet on Monday, Nov. 7th instead.

Alderman Cahoe asked for the month of December with Christmas was everyone ok with moving the meetings up 1 week, everyone was in favor of this.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Musk to Adjourn at 7:12pm. Motion passed 6-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/council-meeting-10-25-22.pdf