Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met March 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Auxiliary Officer Erik Buikema, Fire Chief Ken Baier, Police Chief Jeremy Douglas

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Erik Buikema with the Auxiliary Department spoke first. He stated at their monthly meeting they reviewed handling emergency call outs, brought the vehicle squad to the meeting to perform hands on training, performed handcuff inspection and reviewed expectations of the officers doing ride along with full time officers. Erik also met with Chief Douglas, and Officer Spears and Lt. Henneike to discuss expectations of leadership and upcoming budget needs. The squad was sent in for engine light concerns and repairs and the department performed monthly maintenance to the boat and the generator.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 3 fires, 3 first responder calls, 20 ambulance calls, 2 MVA’s, 4 automatic alarms, 1 CO Alarm, and 8 other calls for the month of February. Training for February consisted of driver’s training/pump training, blood borne pathogen, annual CPR, and SCBA Mod A. Chief reported everyone has a copy of a proposed ordinance for the department concerning FSLA article 7 which states the department is on a 54-hour work week and 28-day work cycle. This is only for the fire/ambulance personnel.

The Chief reported the new truck has decals on it now and they have been doing driver training. Alderman Cahoe stated both firehouses need some repairs done to them, starting with furnace and a/c, garage doors and inside doors. The Chief stated he is going to need some added security on the walk-in door where the ambulances are parked. The Chief also stated the department has upgraded the kitchen area using some of their foreign fire tax monies. The department did the installation themselves.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas stated his department had 361 calls for the month of February. Chief reported the 2 new squads are now on the road and 4 mdc’s have been installed and there are 5 to update yet. One of the new squads will be going in soon to get the 75th anniversary decal put on. Chief Douglas stated Sgt Harris and Officer Spears attended an FTO class and learned that the new officer can not do any FTO training until after his class and he will be done with that this fall. Sgt. Harris also did a K9 demonstration at Glenn Raymond and Sgt. Harris also assisted with the K9 for homeland security/FBi in St. Anne. Officer Forbes attended a criminal sexual assault class. Chief stated Officer Smith and Corriveau have been to different day cares and schools reading to the students. Chief stated May 15th is Law Enforcement Memorial Day and he is requesting the city paint a blue line down the center of Brianna Dr. He has talked to Loren at Public Works, and they can do the painting. The committee is ok with this.

Chief Douglas would like to purchase a drone that all the departments could use. There is a drone class coming up in April and he thinks it would be good if one employee from each department attended. The cost for the drone could be $10,000 to $15,000. Chief will have move information next month.

Chief Douglas is also looking into a citizen police academy. Kankakee is doing this also. It would be an 8-week course and it would show the citizens what the police department does, the resources they have available and the ins and outs of the judicial system. There will be an application process with background checks being done.

Chief Douglas reminded everyone about the golf carts/UTV ordinance that was put into place earlier this year. There is now a $25 fee with a new sticker.

Mayor Allhands talked briefly about doing some sort of a property tax break for Berkots. He also stated there is a small truck stop that might be interested in coming to Watseka. Mayor Allhands let the committee know about the March 19th meeting at WCHS and the committee is invited to attend.

Mayor Allhands stated the Finance committee meeting, and the public works/water wastewater meeting has been moved to Monday March 25th, and full council meeting will still be on Tuesday March 26th at the regular 6:30 time.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn, and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/public-safety-3-12-24.pdf