Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Feb. 28.

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 Barragree, seconded by Marcier to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of January 24th 2023 Motion passed 7-0.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2677-Amending Title 4, Business and License Regulations, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 4-2-7, Classification Of License, Section 4-2-8, Number of Licenses, Section 4- 2-9, License Fees, And Section 4-2-12, conditions of Certain Licenses, of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2678-Authorizing a Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Under the Public Water Supply Loan Program.

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2677-Amending Title 4, Business and License Regulations, Chapter 2, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 4-2-7, Classification Of License, Section 4-2-8, Number of Licenses, Section 4- 2-9, License Fees, And Section 4-2-12, conditions of Certain Licenses, of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2678-Authorizing a Loan Agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Under the Public Water Supply Loan Program.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree to Set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller to Accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree to pay claims in the amount $1,124,648.07 Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Musk to Accept and Place on file the January Treasurer Report. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller Benny Marcier new Finance Chairman. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier Brandon Barragree new Public Safety Chairman. Motion passed 7-0.

ICOM Agreement $120,000-no action taken this month.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Rohlfs Transfer $310,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into Police Pension 40-10-5001. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree order 475 Radio Read Meters. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Sanitary and Storm Sewer Separation Project on Park Ave & Yount Ave $6,034-Core and Main. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller Purchase a 2013 Sprinter Televised Truck from EJ Equipment for $99,000.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Purchase a Aluminum Trailer from Morris Trailers for $5900 plus tax and title. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no. A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Peerless Midwest Well 11-$304,000. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Core and Main for 10” Watermain from Well 11 to the Filter by MediCom $58,020.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Musk Ruder Technologies for cameras at WWTP and Wells $8463.00 +$712.47 Annual Cloud Storage. Motion passed 7-0.

Ruder Technologies for Cameras at Lakeview, Peters, Westside, Kay Parks $15,178 + $2137.41 Annual Cloud Storage- Dropped no motions were made.

Ruder Technologies for Audio Video Recording System in Council Chambers $8,270.00. Alderwoman Musk made the motion with no second, dropped.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Purchase 6 Fire Hydrants from Core and Main $21,000. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Create a Pooled Cash Account for the Fire Department. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs Advanced Computer System $8657.00 to update the Interview Room camera System. Motion passed 7-0.

• Code Enforcement

None

• Personnel Committee-None

• Miscellaneous Business

City Attorney Cainkar reported that Mr. Dirks has agreed to tear down the garage. Mayor Allhands gave a quick update gaming at Berkot’s, he sent a text to all of the council. 2-3 years ago Berkot’s presented to the council plans for a café inside they showed the plans.

Berkot’s lease in under negotiation they are trying to get it down as of late they are not making a profit. Berkot’s a few years ago also left and then came back, they proposed a few years ago building a meat processing plant that could employ 10-12 people, a new building inspector came on board and put a stop to the project. No further action was taken. Mayor reported he has screenshots of citizens complaining about this on Facebook, he also shared 13 new businesses have come to Watseka.

Mayor also shared there is a property owner wo has land behind the Big R warehouse and they may annex the east side to the city.

Mayor is also looking into 4 different TIF’s and a street scape meeting is needed so Neil knows what the city wants.

Alderwoman Rohlfs shared that the state has lowered the permit fees for home growers meat, poultry, and eggs the permit was $275 now it is $50 this will make this much easier for the sellers, she also mentioned if the summer farmers market goes well they may have a winter market inside at the Youth center and she would like to have kids activities there also. Keith from Robinson gave a quick update on the mill and overlay.

Alderman Marcier asks if the council had issues with Berkot’s having a small café inside, Mayor said no there was just no follow up on it.

Alderman Garfield mentioned a piece of property by the Public Works building due to multiple family members on the title they refuse to sign off unless they are paid, Alderman Garfield stated we need to keep an eye on things before the state gets involved.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:08pm. Motion passed 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Council-Meeting-2-28-2023.pdf