Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met April 25.

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, Anderson & Alderwomen Rohlfs & Musk. Absent was Alderman Muench.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 28th, 2023. Motion passed 7-0.

Swearing in of the new Alderman/woman. City Attorney Cainkar did this.

Public Comment-None

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Marcier Appoint Mark Garfield to the Police Pension Board. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Garfield abstaining.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Resolution 2023-2 Adopting the City of Watseka Housing Needs Assessment and Community Revitalization Plan (March 2023)

• Resolution 2023-3 8th St. FAU Route Section 22-00066-00RS

Consent Agenda

• Resolution 2023-2 Adopting the City of Watseka Housing Needs Assessment and Community Revitalization Plan (March 2023)

• Resolution 2023-3 8th St. FAU Route Section 22-00066-00RS

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

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

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller to pay claims in the amount $1,120,711.48 Motion passed 7-0.

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

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Cahoe Donate $1000 to Dancepiration Dance Academy pay from promotion line item. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Transfer $205,000 from general fund 1-10-1000 into Capital Equipment & Improvement line item 1-10-1045. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Marcier CliftonLarsonAllen Engagement Letter for the fiscal year audit $36,250.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Balanced Budget. Alderman Marcier reported they meet with Fox Group this morning at 9am they had 1 question, and no changes were made. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Anderson abstaining.

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Cahoe Lexi Pol $10,000 for a 2 Year Contract. Copies of the summary of these were put in everyone’s box. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Start Legal Proceedings on 212 & 300 N Market St. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Robinson Engineering Well #11, Raw Transmission Line $21,232.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Open Pool for free swimming during Family Festival 8/24-8/26/2023. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Asphalt Roller $29,500 with 3yr/500hr warranty-pay 70% from water & sewer 20% from street and Alleys and 10% from park fund. Motion passed 5-2 with Alderwoman Musk and Alderman Anderson voting no.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Increase Fire Chief Ken Baier pay rate to $1920 per month effective 5/1/23. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Increase Fireman Pay rates $2.00 for each certificate they have (Fire Academy and EMT) from $18 per hour to $20 and $22 and $24 per hour effective 5/1/23. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Cahoe Purchase 25 Air packs for a cost of $200,000.00 to be paid from Capital Equipment. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Increase Chief Jeremy Douglas pay rate to $59.09/hr effective 5/1/23. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Increase Deputy Chief Josh King pay rate to $45.62/hr effective 5/1/23. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Increase Secretary Kendra Warner pay rate to $21.00/hr effective 5/1/23. Motion passed 7-0.

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Cahoe Façade Grant to the Headquarters for $5,000. Motion passed 7-0.

• Liquor Committee-None

• Personnel Committee-None

• Miscellaneous Business

Billing the Railroad for Traffic Control-Discussion was had on this. Alderman Anderson passed out an Ordinance from Elmhurst IL from 1974 they established. City Attorney Cainkar shared that this cannot be done no fines, no regulations, the police when they do go out for this type of issue they should be paid for their time. Lots of discussion was had that when this happens you do not get to talk to a person normally the engineer or conductor gives you a Union Pacific card that is basic to identify the person which is not helpful really. Alderman Anderson feels the city needs to create an ordinance on this issue for the public, since they complain etc. No action was taken.

Garage Sale Ordinance Discussion-Discussion was had no action was taken keeping the current ordinance in place.

Freehill Asphalt Crack Sealing-No action was taken. This will go on the Public Works agenda next month.

Mayor Allhands shared there will be a Seeds of Honor program at the high school from 9-11a. Mayor then handed out papers on the Monument for Gold Star Families, efforts are underway to raise funds to have this monument at Legion Park. Mayor would like to see the city donate in the future for this.

Mayor also shared he is going to have a meeting with the taxing bodies to look at TIF 3, TIF 2, and TIF 1.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree to Adjourn at 7:08pm. Motion passed 7-0. Amanda Hibbs, City Clerk

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/council-minutes-4-25-23.pdf