Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met March 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, & Alderwomen Rohlfs & Musk. Absent was Alderman Miller.

Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Garfield to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 28th 2023. Motion passed 6-0.

Public Comment-Whitey Davis said this is his 5th time attending regarding the business fees in this town, personally he feels they are higher. Mr. Davis asked what the discussion process on this. Mayor Allhands shared this has been ongoing discussing the minimum per gallon usage. This is going to be on the agenda for the Water/Waste Water Committee next month, he said that Mr. Davis will be put on the agenda. Mr. Davis said Thank you. Justin Rogers was in attendance to ask about lifting the poultry ban ordinance for chickens. Mayor Allhands shared that this topic is # 10 on the agenda if Mr. Rogers would like to stick around. Mr. Rogers cell # 217-213-1822, he is a real estate agent and there are people coming from Chicago to Watseka and lifting this ordinance could help. Scott Anderson was in attendance he is going to be the new fourth ward Alderman when he is seated in May, he had a few questions for the council at The Public Works /Finance meeting he attended. Mr. Davis came to these meetings due to the cost of water bills for downtown businesses. Mr. Anderson felt if we curtail spending this may help with the cost of this. Mr. Anderson also questioned the asphalt roller expense; he sees the need as we have potholes in town but we have patching for that a roller is a luxury at $12,800 that is quite an expense for luxury and it will sit most of the year, he feels this purchase needs a closer look. Mr. Anderson asked could we partner with other Townships/cities for this and he shared that you can rent one from Reeds Rental All for $1500 a week, added expenses to the luxury, manpower, loading/unloading/transport etc. Thank you.

South 3rd Street Resident Parking Issues- No one was in attendance. Alderman Marcier asked if we are going to discuss this as it needs discussion. Alderman Marcier shared it is an issue he has been approached by residents S. 3rd and Mulberry Street affected by this. Teachers are parking on the street, the residents to the east cannot park their cars, for trash can pick up cars are in the way. Alderwoman Musk asked what larger cities do about this? They are public roads they do not belong to anyone, there is a parking lot by the school that can be used but we should be spending minimal time on his as are we going to police this and put up a bunch of no parking signs, the school has been there for years and this is just now a problem I don’t feel we should tackle this. This is no different than semis in driveways, we need to look at this as a whole. Alderman Cahoe asked if these people had driveways, Mayor said all but one and maybe the council should talk to Chief Douglas about this.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2679-Authorizing a Loan Agreement with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Under the Water Pollution Control Loan Program.

• Ordinance #2680-Amending Title 8, Motor vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 4, Parking Regulations, section 8-4-2, stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Specified places, Of the Watseka City Code.

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2679-Authorizing a Loan Agreement with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Under the Water Pollution Control Loan Program.

• Ordinance #2680-Amending Title 8, Motor vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 4, Parking Regulations, section 8-4-2, stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Specified places, Of the Watseka City Code.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree to Set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier to Accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 6-0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe to pay claims in the amount $719,043.96. Motion passed 6-0.

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

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier Transfer $170,690 from video Gaming 1-10-1048 to Police Pension 40-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield Transfer $169,120 from Alcohol Tax 1-10-1025 to Police Pension 40-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Garfield Transfer $147,796 from general Fund 1-10-8000 to Street and Alley 6-10-9000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Fox Group Engagement Letter for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 $49,000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs Knights of Columbus Donation for 4th of July Fireworks $7500. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Building Inspector Eric Brandt pay increase effective May 1, 2023 $27.80/hour. Alderwoman Musk asked how this was determined? Was there a performance review done and if there was, she would like to see those if there was documentation? Alderman Marcier told her he did not have that information. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Marcier Administrative Assistant Cathy Molck pay increase effective May 1, 2023, $29.89. Alderwoman Musk asked how this was determined? Was there a performance review done and if there was, she would like to see those if there was documentation? Alderman Marcier told her he did not have that information. Alderwoman Musk said that she is aware that Cathy gets at least 5 hours of overtime, if we start this the police are going to want the same thing she felt for a small town these increases were high. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderwoman Musk voting no.

• Public Works/Water Wastewater

Caterpillar Asphalt Roller $12,500. Tabled until next month. Loren PW Director did share some discussion on this for the need and why he is working on a new bid for 2020 that will last the city 15 years.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller ICOM Agreement $126,000. Motion passed 6- 0.

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Rohlfs Façade Grant Dralles for $5000 this is for the Route 1 building. Motion passed 6-0.

• Liquor Committee

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree Accept Liquor, Gaming, Cigarette, and raffle Licenses for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year removing Marathon and Bootleggers these are on hold. Bootleggers has closed though. Motion passed 6-0.

• Personnel Committee-None

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree for Town Wide Garage Sales May 19th & 20th and August 11th & 12th 2023. Motion passed 6-0.

Poultry in the City of Watseka-A few questions were asked confinement? Limit? Do we want to go down this road again? Alderman Garfield shared in the past chickens were all over Watseka. Justin Rogers suggested a chicken coop and the limit being 10-15. Mr. Rogers was then asked if he has had any discussion with his neighbors on this, he said no. Alderwoman Rohlfs shared that if they were taking care of no smell, feces cleaned, etc. she would be open to it. Alderwoman Musk feels this is opening the flood gates, people may not take care of them and the smell, noise etc. could be an issue not everyone is the same on doing this type of thing. Mr. Rogers shared there are already people doing this he was just trying to do it the right way. Alderman Garfield then stated if we allow chickens what is next pigs, goats, horses etc. we have to draw the line either all or nothing. The council was not in favor of this tonight, they did admire Mr.

Rogers for coming forward with this, they did ask if Mr. Rogers could show us how other towns do it and can relate to please bring that info back to the council. Billing the Railroad for Traffic Control, discussion was had on this with examples of long trains, or when the crossing got torn up by a vehicle going through that was for four hours with Police, Auxiliary Police, IDOT and State police being on scene. The City Attorney is going to investigate this no action was taken.

Keith from Robinson gave a quick update the sanitary sewer project on Locust to get it going and he should be hearing from the IDOT Road Programs soon. Mayor Allhands shared that the school is adding an addition by Martin Ave. they are moving forward with this, and they are working with Public Works for easement, new well, etc.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 7:18pm. Motion passed 6-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Council-minutes-3-28-2023.pdf