Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Jan. 24.

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 Barragree, Marcier, Cahoe, Garfield, Miller & Alderwoman Rohlfs & Musk.

Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 20th 2022. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment: Whitey Davis was in attendance and asked the council if they have had anymore discussion on the water rates for downtown businesses. Mr. Davis stated these rates are high, they are not appropriate, what idea have the council came up with, mayor stated even thought at Public Comment they are not allowed to respond Mayor told Mr. Davis it is status quo at this point. Mr. Davis said he is very disappointed, this is not right maybe things would be different if all of you were paying double water and sewer rates, again this is not acceptable if you are trying to keep the businesses in town that you have and attracting any new ones by doing this is wrong. Mr. Davis thanked the council for their time. Scott Anderson was in attendance he is running for the 4th ward Alderman seat and is running unopposed, he wants to know why the city is looking to build in flood plain areas. 425 W. North Street is on the agenda tonight along with the Martin Ave. extension he looked at a flood map drawn by Marvin DeLahr former Public Works director and 10th street takes water, Mr. Anderson feels proper planning should be done before anymore money is spent by showing the city some transparency. Thank you for your time. Mike Lenz was in attendance she stated he has waited 5 years for his street to be fixed and now you are planning to build a road that bugs me.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2670-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 100 West Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2671-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 122 West Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2672- Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 209 East Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2673-Amending title 6, Public safety, Chapter 4, Fire Prevention and Protection, Section 6-4-8, Emergency Response and Recovery Fess, of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2674-Rezoning the Property Commonly Known as 425 West North Street, Watseka, Illinois From “R-2” Single-Family Residential District to “R-4” Multi Family Residential District.

• Ordinance #2675-ordinance Granting A Variation To allow A Second Accessory Structure On The Property Commonly Known at 719-221 South 3rd Street Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2676-Providing for A One Year Moratorium on the Assessment and Collection of Building Permit Fees, Sewer Tap-On Fees, and Water Tap-On Fees For New Residential Development Commencing February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024.

• Resolution 2023-1-Amending the City of Watseka Employee Handbook to provide for Paid Holiday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Columbus Day.

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2670-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 100 West Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2671-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 122 West Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2672- Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 209 East Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2673-Amending title 6, Public safety, Chapter 4, Fire Prevention and Protection, Section 6-4-8, Emergency Response and Recovery Fess, of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2674-Rezoning the Property Commonly Known as 425 West North Street, Watseka, Illinois From “R-2” Single-Family Residential District to “R-4” Multi Family Residential District.

• Ordinance #2675-ordinance Granting A Variation To allow A Second Accessory Structure On The Property Commonly Known at 719-221 South 3rd Street Watseka, Illinois.

• Ordinance #2676-Providing for A One Year Moratorium on the Assessment and Collection of Building Permit Fees, Sewer Tap-On Fees, and Water Tap-On Fees For New Residential Development Commencing February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024.

• Resolution 2023-1-Amending the City of Watseka Employee Handbook to provide for Paid Holiday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Columbus Day.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller to Set the Consent Agenda removing Ordinances #2670, #2674 and Resolution 2023-1. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller to Accept the Consent Agenda removing Ordinances #2670, #2674 and Resolution 2023-1. Motion passed 7-0.

Ordinance #2670- Discussion was had on this, Alderwoman Musk the condition the building has sat in, do we want to take ownership how much are we going to have to sink into it and by pay prevailing wage that is going to be very expensive. Mayor shared that this was discussed months ago that a sheet was handed out with all of the costs not to exceed $120,000. If this can be made into a historical district there are tax credits if someone comes along to do the work. Alderman Miller asked about the adjoining wall that will have to be fixed and of course painted. Alderwoman Rohlfs would like to see it preserved as the community has a lot of memories of this building stories can be told. Mayor share that there were 4 properties now there are 3 and the priced has been reduced from $45,000 to $32,000. Alderwoman Musk asked where do we stop, are we going to keep buying all of these properties. A Motion was made by Musk, seconded by Marcier. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

Ordinance #2674-Alderman Miller shared that there is more paperwork that needs done on this, he then asked Eric to explain this in more detail. Eric sees no issues, the issue is the flood plain ordinance, the value of the money putting in it, substantial improvement, Eric then gave some examples of how this works. Eric share this was a church so there is no tax assessment, he has asked for an appraisal he does not have it yet. Tanner Cahoe with TNS Developments is the owner of 425 W. North Street he stated he has a contract with the Carlisle Group he hopes to have the architect drawing very soon, and the appraisal should be back tomorrow. Mayor Allhands then shared if we get the paperwork worked out there shouldn’t be an issue. City Attorney stated there is no need to hold up on this we can move forward. Tanner will carry flood insurance and the Fire Department has done a walk through with no issues. A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier, Motion passed 5-1-1 abstain with Alderman Cahoe abstaining and Alderman Miller voting no.

Resolution 2023-1-A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield, Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier to pay claims in the amount $448,994.12. Motion passed 7-0.

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

• Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Wessler Engineering $27,800 for Wastewater & Stormwater Mapping. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Austin Kidwell Supervisor Status with increase in pay to $27/hr. beginning 1/9/23 with regular increase in May. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Purchase 2 Kubota Mowers from McCullough’s for $18,725 cash (ZS1211-3-60 with a 72” deck). Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Purchase Kubota Skidsteer from McCullough’s for $65,000. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no. A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Purchase a 2023 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado 4WD Crew Cab from Dralle’s for $40,700 plus title and plates. Alderwoman Musk asked for which department, Alderman Cahoe said Public Works. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller Ruder Technologies Camera Upgrade at City hall to Cloud Base $6,174,77 annual cloud storage fee and $1982,00 install fee. Motion passed 7-0.

• Code Enforcement

Purchase 904 N Chicago St. and City demolish Garage-tabled.

• Personnel Committee-None

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree Appoint Robert Harwood to Police Pension Committee 2 year term. Motion passed 7-0.

Ruder Technologies to put cameras in Lakeview, peters, Westside, and Kay Parks $15,178.00 and 42,137.41 annual fee for cloud storage. Lots of discussion was had Alderwoman Musk stated we cannot record these meetings for the public but we can afford to do this…She feels the meetings should be recorded for the citizens that are not able to attend the in person meetings this would benefit the community. Alderman Marcier shared that the council meeting minutes are on the cities website or you can get them from Cathy. Alderman Miller shared that the park fund is a separate fund and he asked about possible cameras at well 10 and the wastewater plant, Loren from Public Works shared there is security through Johnson Controls, so there is security. Alderwoman Musk asked about having all of this on one agenda to look at, for the record Alderwoman Musk is not against cameras in the parks. Loren is going to follow up with Ruder and get some quotes possibly for next month. Alderwoman Rohlfs thanked the community for coming to the meeting. Keith from Robinson Engineering gave a quick update that there are 2 Resolutions since there are 2 sources of funding from the state MFT account.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:23pm. Motion passed 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/council-meeting-1-24-23.pdf