Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met Oct. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Marcier, Cahoe, Barragree, Muench, Miller, Anderson, Alderwoman Rohlfs, and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderwoman DeLahr

GUESTS: Mike Buhrmeister employee of H.G. & N. and Juanita Muller with the Watseka Rocks

Alderman Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mike Buhrmeister with H.G. & N Fertilizer Company spoke first. He stated his company has 800 loads of fertilizer coming out of his facility a year and it is hard for the semis to make the corner at Walnut & S 2nd if there are vehicles there. He is asking for 1 spot to be removed in front of La Potosina and 2 spots in front of the DMV. Alderman Anderson stated that the spot in front of La Potosina could be a 10-minute parking for carry out only. There was discussion about making all the turn lanes on Walnut St the same as in front of Pence’s where the turn lane is not all the way up to the stop light. Loren will check with the state on setting back the intersections. The committee was in agreement to make the one spot at La Potosina a carryout parking only and remove 1 spot on E Walnut in front of the DMV. Loren will work on this.

Juanita Muller with the Watseka Rocks Group spoke next about decorating the downtown area for the upcoming holiday season. The group will be putting garland, bows and lights on the black poles and the troughs will be decorated as well. The empty store fronts will be decorated with wreaths on the outside of the glass except for the JC Pennys building. The group would like to decorate the inside of the store front. The group also wants to decorate the empty lot that the city owns with Christmas trees and decorative fencing.

Alderman Cahoe stated someone is going to donate the concrete for the 30x30 slab on the city owned empty lot. Mayor Allhands shared with the committee some pictures from Juanita Muller and Joan Cook that could be done with the empty lot in the spring.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the September Treasurers report and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Marcier stated a TIF 4 disbursement needs to be made to Designer Homes. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to pay a TIF 4 disbursement to Designer Homes for $2615.00 for 605 S 5th St/219 E Hamilton St. Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the committee has before them the bill from IMLRMA for the yearly liability insurance. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to pay IMLRMA $158,768.09 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Mayor Allhands stated the yearly audit is finally done; it was late because like everyone else they are short staffed.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to transfer $337,100 from the general fund 1-10- 8000 into street and alleys 9-10-9000 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Anderson asked the committee if everyone has taken the NIMS course and the OMA course online.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to adjourn at 7:00 pm and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finance-10-17-23.pdf