Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Sept. 26.

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, Miller, Anderson, Muench, & Alderwoman Rohlfs. Absent Alderwoman DeLahr.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August 22nd, 2023. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment-None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2687-Amending Title 2, Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Section 2-2-1, Board Created: Appointment of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2688-Authorizing the Acceptance of a Donation of Real Property Located at 345 W North St. Watseka Illinois.

• Ordinance #2689-Authorizing the Acceptance of a Donation of Real Property Located at 306 W Oak St. Watseka Illinois.

• Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code-FAU Walnut St to Tenth St.

• Resolution Rebuild Illinois Funds-Construction of Mulberry St from Seventh to Ninth St.

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2687-Amending Title 2, Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Section 2-2-1, Board Created: Appointment of the Watseka City Code.

• Ordinance #2688-Authorizing the Acceptance of a Donation of Real Property Located at 345 W North St. Watseka Illinois.

• Ordinance #2689-Authorizing the Acceptance of a Donation of Real Property Located at 306 W Oak St. Watseka Illinois.

• Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code-FAU Walnut St to Tenth St.

• Resolution Rebuild Illinois Funds-Construction of Mulberry St from Seventh to Ninth St.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, 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 Marcier, seconded by Cahoe to pay claims in the amount $666,475.33. Motion passed 7-0.

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

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs TIF 4 Disbursement to JR Developments $1975.41. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Watseka Family Festival $50,000.00 donation pay from Promotion line item. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Engineering Services Agreement-S 8th St-Walnut St to 10th St. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Muench Purchase a Kubota Sub Compact Tractor with front loader from McCullough’s for $11,270.00 pay from streets and alleys, parks and water. Motion passed 7-0.

A motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree IPC work done at peters Park $78,000. Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Cahoe Purchase 2 Ford Explorers from Sutton Ford for $80,851 (40,294 from Police department equipment line item and $40,557 from Capital Equipment line item. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Rohlfs Begin application process to hire a 12th Police Officer. Motion passed 7-0.

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Anderson DNR Phase XV-445/447 N 3rd, 441/443 N 3rd, 431 N 3rd & 224 W Hickory St. Lee Farms $64,500.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Muench T&D Metal Façade Grant for $5,000. Motion passed 7-0.

• Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Trick or Treat Hours October 31st 4-7. Motion passed 7-0.

Façade Grant applications for signage will now be enforced per applications Guidelines, Signage must be in addition to work being done on the building. Alderman Miller states this is already in there it will now be enforced. No action was taken.

Kay St Storm and sanitary Separation Project Low Interest Loan for 20years discussion and possible action. Keith from Robinson shared that the application to the IEPA was for $2.35MM, this is more than the anticipated construction and engineering so the actual amount received may be less if the city receives favorable pricing during bidding. The interest rate may be lower depending on how the IEPA reviews certain criteria. Payments are bi-annual to the state usually Feb. and August the payment would be $38,657.58 if Watseka gets a small community rate at 1.36% payment drops to $37,015.04. A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Miller to go forward on this. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Appoint Margo Legan to the Watseka Public Library Board. Motion passed 7-0.

The mayor asked if the pipe that floated up by Kingdon’s could be reused, no new pipe was needed. Loren will know more tomorrow. Loren reported there are some storm sewer issues with sink holes and cracks on the east side retaining wall. This will be a possible lining job in the future Loren will get some prices.

The mayor gave a quick update on the Martin Ave. project waiting for surveying to be done after harvest. Keith shared that a grant has been approved for the environmental study so the money that the city spent can be reimbursed.

Alderwoman Rohlfs shared that the farmers market is coming to an end for the season she thanked the city for their support, and she is possibly looking for a larger area on Walnut Street for in the future.

Alderman Anderson shared he completed the online Open Meeting Act training, and he will give a copy of that to Cathy.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Cahoe to Adjourn at 6:59pm. Motion passed 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/council-minutes-9-26-23.pdf