Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Cahoe, Marcier, Barragree, Garfield, Alderwomen Musk and Rohlfs

ABSENT: Mayor Allhands and Alderman Miller

GUEST: Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 7:10 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

Meter Reading Improvements: 475 more radios were ordered March 1. Fire Hydrants: Painting of hydrants will begin next month when weather is better Oxidation Ditch: Punch list is nearly complete, valve stems and wheels need repainted New Well: Should break ground in about 60 days for the new well. New well by high school work in progress with Robinson Engineering.

Kingdon/Herron Ct: Loren reported the piping that was put in about 18 months ago has come out of the ground. Loren believes that the project was not engineered properly by previous directors as to the depth and coverage of the pipe. He is meeting with IPC Wednesday to discuss options.

Well 6: Still looking for an air stripper

Road Improvements 2022: Yard restorations to take place in Spring 2023 Drainage Project along Walnut: Still waiting for TPW for track safety Locust/Brown Street Manhole Project: Work in progress

G.I. S. Mapping: There will be in person training/cross training in April. Loren stated this is a great tool for the city and will be here forever and will not leave when directors leave. Sanitary & Storm Sewer Separation Project on Park and Yount Ave: Materials have been ordered

Staffing: 2 employees will be starting April 3rd, this will bring staffing up to 12 full time and 2 seasonal employees will be hired to assist with mowing. 5 employees have been signed up for sprayer license class April 19th in Matteson.

Miscellaneous: Wastewater new RAS pump #1 and #2 and elbows installed Manufacturer completed start up on pump 2 on 3/16/23 and scheduling startup on #1. Loren stated public works crews did this project and saved the city about $15,000 to $20,000. Automatic hydrant flushers have been installed along old US 24 and along gasoline alley. No parking signs are needed along N 5th St between Hickory and Elm. There are vehicles parking along the west side that are in the way of snowplows/trailers etc. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to make the west side of North 5th St no parking from Hickory to Elm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 6- 0.

Loren stated he has ordered no thru truck traffic signs for 4th & Walnut as is seem there’s several trucks using that route.

Equipment: Skid loader has been ordered, lawn mowers and mower trailer have been received, new truck has been ordered, televising van to be delivered 3-27-23, broom for the skid loader has been replaced. Loren asked the committee about purchasing an asphalt roller. He has found a used 2005 Caterpillar CB-224E in Princeton Il for $12,500 with 1500 hours on it. He is going to go look at it asap. Loren stated the department borrows a roller from IPC and the condition of it is always bad and they are limited when they can get it. Loren stated there are several potholes that need attention this year and it would make sense to have our own. The committee is ok with him going to look at it.

Miscellaneous: 2023 road program- still waiting for IDOT and IDOT rules state the program doesn’t need to be published in a local paper only on their website.

North St Water main project - is still a work in progress waiting on the UP railroad. 2nd notices have been sent out regarding the IEPA Industrial Surveys, 65 have been received so far if more aren’t received public works crews will be going door to door to get the rest of them. Martin Ave Road Extension- 2nd final notice has been sent to residents and no comments were returned. Kay St and Elm St project for debt forgiveness loan – paperwork sent in still waiting for a response.

Alderwoman Musk asked about the barrel on Jackson Ave and Loren stated he is waiting for the new televised van to be delivered and then he will begin that project.

There was a short discussion about street lights in the city that aren’t working.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 6-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/public-work-water-wastewater-3-21-23.pdf