Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Allhands via phone at 6:30pm. Present were  Aldermen Barragree, Marcier, Cahoe, Miller, Anderson, Muench, & Alderwoman Rohlfs and DeLahr. 

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Miller Public Hearing-Solar City Attorney Cainkar shared  this was published in the Times-Republic there were no comments. Motion passed 8-0. 

A motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Rohlfs to close the Public Hearing Solar. Motion passed 8- 0. 

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by DeLahr to Approve the City Council Regular Meeting  Minutes of April 23rd, 2024. Motion passed 8-0. 

Public Comment-Andrea Langellier is asking the council for help regarding a nuisance at 325 W. Park  Ave. She lives at 331 W. Park Ave, and she reported that there are inappropriate things going on  regarding noise violations, there is an alarm that is very disruptive it goes off all the time. She called the  police yesterday and the officer told her he would bring it to someone’s attention. People are wanting  to move out of the neighborhood due to this, it is so loud, she is asking for help. Alderman Anderson  shared that the council does not have to do anything, but this should be addressed, he reported he  heard it, he saw it he has a video on his phone of this, he was supposed to have a police report in his  mailbox today but never got it. Alderman Anderson pulled the current ordinance and read it, he stated  we have heard from both sides now and continue to do nothing. The mayor will talk to the chief of  police on this. Jennifer Kucher feels that this is very abusive, her husband has said bad things about her  that aren’t true, she stated she had just gotten out of the hospital she cannot handle the siren anymore  and wants peace. Cheryl Farrell from 1200 W. Smith St. stated she is a retired resident of 19 years she  lives on the neglected west side of town. She has 2 neighbors that their properties are unmaintained,  one is a want to be mechanic that the property has accumulated a bunch of junk, there is a truck with  expired tags sitting there, she reported this and was laughed at, she was told to call code. She has  spoken to Eric and Bill and still nothing gets done. She feels this is a disgrace to the neighborhood, the  2nd neighbor is a sad situation sloppy garage, grass is waist high and there is trash everywhere, the man  who cuts her grass is now cutting this neighbor grass he feels bad for me, so he cuts it and is not paid.  She stated that when the wind blows the trash all comes to her property and she must pick it all up  wrappers, trash, etc. Cheryl stated that this neighbor’s water keeps getting shut off, so she is coming  over to her property without permission and filling jugs from my spicket, she had caught her. All of this  has been reported to code and she has called animal control that neighbor has 3 dogs that are left  unattended with no water, in the rain, snow, etc. On May 13th one of the dogs broke loose, she reported  that. Cheryl also stated that there is a smell of something dead next to the neighbor’s shed, the odor is  awful, she wanted to have a get together for Memorial Day and could not due to the smell and  condition of this property, she would like something done.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations  

• Ordinance #2710- Amending Title 12, Zoning, Chapter 16, Photovoltaic Systems, of the Watseka City  Code  

• Ordinance #2711- Authorizing and Providing for the Reissuance and Extension of a $1,000,000 General  Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois 

Consent Agenda  

• Ordinance #2710- Amending Title 12, Zoning, Chapter 16, Photovoltaic Systems, of the Watseka City  Code  

• Ordinance #2711- Authorizing and Providing for the Reissuance and Extension of a $1,000,000 General  Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by DeLahr to set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by DeLahr to accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 8-0. Standing Committee Reports  

• Finance, Legal and Audit  

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller Claims in the amount of $566,086.66. Motion  passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Accept and place on the file the April Treasurers  report. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller Donate $1,000 to Watseka Farmers Market. Motion  passed 7-0 with Alderwoman Rohlfs abstaining. 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Anderson Fire Chief Pay Rate $2,016 per month effective  5/1/2024. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Barragree Rieken Overhead Doors for Fire Department  $32,487.51 paid from Capital Equipment. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Anderon, seconded by Muench Illiana Lock Service for Fire Department  $9,328.13 paid from Capital Equipment. Motion passed 8-0. 

Public Works/Water Wastewater 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Barragree Martin Ave Bid letter of Recommendation and  possible award to IPC $1,837,154.87. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Cahoe Express Employment 1 year. Loren Public Works  Director share that Express deals with HR they do the drug screens, physicals, then we would interview.  These possible employees would work for Express not the city, so we would have 3 months to hire or  send them back. No benefits will be paid unless they get hired full-time. This will help find employees  with specific skills. Alderwoman DeLahr asked how many, Loren shared to fill 3 open positions, and  Alderwoman DeLahr also asked about the union, Loren shared there would be no interference they  would be filling 3 open positions this will not take over-time away from the current employees. Motion  passed 8-0.  

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Move Forward with Capping and abandoning Well  6 and 3 test wells. Motion passed 8-0. 

A motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Name 122 W Walnut the Ted Horner Community  Park and purchase a plaque for $118. Motion passed 8-0. 

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Rohlfs Robinson Engineering $8700 NPDES permit renewal  process. Motion passed 8-0. 

Public Safety - None  

Code Enforcement - None  

Miscellaneous Business  

Summer Art Program-Mayor Allhands shared that Yamei is active in the community so adding this  would be good, no funds are needed per Alderwoman Rohlfs.  

Alderman Marcier has two things this Friday, May 31st at 10:30a, he has a contractor coming to look at  the penny’s building, if anyone from the council is available and would like to go you are welcome to.  They will be looking at the structure and the roof at no cost to the city. Alderman Marcier also shared  that today was the Run for the Wall this was hosted by American Legion Post #23 with over 3000  motorcycles, they ate lunch at the legion and the city was presented a plaque, for this run to stop in  Watseka we are very fortunate. Alderman Anderson has had several calls from businesses and business  owners about dumpster diving, this is maddening and something needs to be done this situation needs addressed he asked the council about passing an ordinance for this and we need to allow the police to  enforce it. This will be added to the Finance, Legal, and Audit agenda for more discussion. 

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier to adjourn at 7:24pm. Motion passed 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/council-meeting-5-28-24.pdf