Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Muench

GUESTS: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor, Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following:

New Well 11: Peerless Midwest and B&D are scheduled for start-up on 4/24 Well 6: IEPA has reached out to Loren regarding no samples being submitted so this is a sign that the city could be getting closer to closing down that well

Meter Reading Improvements: 1126 radios installed as of 4-16, the next order will go in 5/1

Fire Hydrants: flushing of hydrants will begin in May, Loren will let everyone know an exact date when it gets closer, and painting of hydrant’s will start again soon with the weather getting better

North Street Watermain Extension under the Railroad: project completed other that the asphalt and concrete repairs.

Lead Service Line Inventory Grant approved: Loren reported the EPA will force the replacement of lead service lines in 2027.

Wastewater treatment Plant: Effluent contact tank gearbox/motor installed, and rake arms are now operational as of 4/12/24. Loren thinks it’s been 10 years since this has worked properly.

R.A.S. 20 hp pump has been warrantied and the ship date is 5/1. The 10hp effluent pump failed and a new pump has been ordered.

Locust/Brown Street Manhole Project: Keith stated this is about to go out to bid, and it was stated the city will be boring a new line to stay outside of railroad property. Kay Street & Sanitary Separation Project: 1 bid was received from IPC for $2,738,901.81 which is over the estimate of $2.5 million. Loren and Keith stated some items can be removed from the bid to lower it to $2.3 million or the city could reject the bid and put out to bid again in the fall. It was stated if the city waits the costs will only increase more. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the bid from IPC for $2,738,901.81 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Keith will work on the change order for the council meeting next week.

Kingdons Drainage Project: Still waiting for drier ground conditions

County/Loveridge Lane Drainage Project: Loren stated this project will now cost the city $16,500 to do across the road, the county will still do their portion of the project even if the city doesn’t do there’s. It was stated that when Loveridge Lane subdivision was built there was an undersized pipe installed. Loren stated the city works on drainage issues all over town so why wouldn’t this issue get fixed also? It was stated this issue affects 10 houses and affects the Loveridge Lane lift station. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to move forward with the Loveridge Lane drainage project with a cost of $16,500 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 5-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr voting no and Alderman Anderson and Mayor Allhands abstaining.

Peters Park: concrete installed for the uphill bleachers and picnic tables, Little League banners installed, LED lighting for tennis courts scheduled for install 4/18 and LED lighting for downhill baseball diamond scheduled for install on 4/22.

Dog Park: Loren is proposing a dog park at Peters Park west of the tennis courts in an unused area. He has a quote from A Plus for $28,725 installed with 2 gates or $33,266 for all factory coated pipe, wire, gates, and all hardware installed. Public works will need to add signage. The committee thinks this is good but would like Loren to get a cost on material only and have public works install the fencing. Alderman Cahoe asked about a different location because of the number of kids at Peters Park during baseball season. It was suggested to do this on Veterans Parkway by the pond. Loren will investigate this and bring more numbers back next month.

Fish Delivery: this is scheduled for 4/17

Pond Pumps: city hall pond pump has been installed and the rest will be done later this week.

MFT Heat & Recycle: letting will be 4/23. This will be on the agenda for full council Martin Ave: the ad for bids will go out this week.

Walnut St Railroad Crossing: Union Pacific will begin repairing the crossing on 4/22 and is expected to take 5 days. There was discussion about truck traffic on North St. Alderman Anderson suggested getting signage from IDOT. It was also suggested maybe get the Auxiliary Police to patrol and have more police patrol those streets for heavy truck usage. 128 W Walnut St: Loren has a quote from A Plus for $7275 for parts, wire, pipe and factory coated, or $6640 for factory coated posts and wire with painted hardware and gates. Loren stated the fence will be 8 ft tall with a 4 ft gate in the back. The committee asked about public works doing the work and about any warranty. Loren will get an updated quote with material only. Loren stated a concrete pad might be donated. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the bid from A Plus Home Improvements for $7275 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Street Sweeper: Loren stated it ran the full route in April including downtown. Loren stated it takes a week to do the entire town.

Spray Patch Machine: training was done on 4/16 and they will continue to operate it Staffing: 1 employee was hired and was to start 4/8 but then backed out, currently down 5 employees and need to hire 3, 1 employee still out on work comp, 1 employee taking FMLA, currently 3 high school students are helping at the yard waste facility and will mow in the summer months, 1 college intern hired for summer to help with mowing Miscellaneous: tree trimming started back up and the SCADA at the lift stations on Oak St and Westside Water towers are completed

Well Sites: Loren stated they are still looking for different well sites at: Heritage Woods subdivision, and county property off of county farm road. Alderman Cahoe stated it seems we are getting further away from the west side. There was a short discussion about a property out by Peters Park.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 8:30 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/public-works-water-wastewater-4-16-24.pdf