Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor and Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 6:15 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

Radio Reads for Water Meters: Loren would like to purchase 200 more radios for the water meters at a cost of $28,000.00. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to purchase 200 radios for the water meters at a cost of $28,000 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Loren stated employee Zack Tobeck has gotten his CDL for a cost of $550 for the class and he is now requesting that Zack receive a pay increase from $17 to $20/hour. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to increase Zack Tobeck’s pay to $20.00 per hour effective 1/2/24 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Well 11: Loren stated he is still waiting on the pit less adapter. The piping is in. Kingdon’s Storm Sewer Repair: the concrete structures are in, and public works will be starting the work on Wednesday.

North St Water Main Project: Keith and Loren reported the project went over about $220,000.00. Rail Pros was an extra $120,000 and IPC was $100,000 over. The original cost was to be $373,000 and the final cost was about $596,000.

Road Projects: Loren and Keith have talked to Gallagher, and they have offered to come and do 30,00 square yards in the northwest part of town for approximately $600,000 which is about $6.00 per square yard. Public works can do the ditch work. The committee is ok with moving forward with this project.

8th St STU Funds: Keith stated the city has about $169,000 in STU funds for next year and the city receives about $93,000 every year. To do a project it is a 80/20 match. Ketih stated by 2028 there could be about $540,000 available in STU funds and with the city $650,000 he thinks a project from Cherry to Elm would cost about 1 million dollars. He is asking if this is something the city in interested in doing? If so the city just needs to let the state know. Keith stated the city is not committed but just interested and will need to re commit again next year. The committee is ok with moving forward with this project.

Well 6: Keith stated it will cost about $100,000 to purchase the air stripper that is needed. There was some discussion that it could be cheaper to dig a new well somewhere. Then there was discussion about where in the city a new well could be dug.

Martin Ave: Keith stated this is still a work in progress and its moving along he is hoping for bid letting in March.

Alderman Marcier stated everyone has a copy of a change of work order for the asbestos removal at the JC Penney’s building. The original cost was $6900 and now it has increased another $3300 to bring the cost to $10,200. The committee is ok with this.

Mayor Allhands stated he has talked to Mr. Hanford about the lot on E Walnut St and he is willing to sell it to the city for $6,000 if the city would remove the $18,000 in fines that he has. There will be a meeting coming up soon to discuss this possible purchase.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 6:55 pm and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/public-works-water-wastewater-12-19-23.pdf