Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works Committee met June 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

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

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment.

Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

Test Wells: These are scheduled for July pending land agreements

New Well 11: Loren stated everyone has a quote from Metropolitan for $7,075 to integrate well 11 pump & VFD into the existing water controls. Loren stated this is something that is really needed. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the quote from Metropolitan for $7,075 and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. Loren also has a quote for $3675 to integrate Oak St and W Lafayette water towers into the existing metro cloud platform. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the quote for $3675 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Loren stated he spent $2500 for a booster pump but after it was installed it wasn’t the issue but now they have an extra pump to be used at another time.

Well 6: this should be capped and abandoned by the middle of July

North St Water Main Extension under Railroad: This should come in in about $240,000 and there is $252,000 in MFT monies to cover it. Keith also stated he will be closing out the project from 7th-9th St soon using the RBI monies.

There was a short discussion about the asphalt work that is going to be done north of Coney to Fairman south because of 3 sink holes and this is an ambulance route. There will also be curb and apron work done at the same time.

Grant for Watermain Extension on Elm St: There is work being done on a proposed 12- inch water main down North St.

Watermain Breaks: 911 E Locust 8” watermain break on 6/13 and 6’ of 4” watermain replaced on Kay St by North St crossing on 6/4/24. This was a joint effort with the City and IPC. There will be no charges from IPC. It was also stated that IPC came in low with the

Martin Ave Road extension, R&R Construction was $2.7 million, and IPC came in at $1.8 million.

Wastewater Treatment Plant: Non potable pump failed this is an older pump, but the city will be getting at 25% discount.

Streets: MFT heat and recycle project was approved 3/14/24 and is scheduled to start by middle of July. Keith stated they will be having a hospitality tent set up at Peters Park to explain the project. There will be more information coming next month. Martin Ave Extension: all contracts are signed; project could start in about 1 month Street Sweeper: ran week of 5/20/24

Spray Patch Machine: currently operating to fill potholes

Concrete & Asphalt: 25 yards poured this month for sidewalk and parking repairs. Loren is looking into metal form boards for concrete instead of using lumber. More information to come back next month. 8 tons of asphalt purchased for road repairs.

Staffing: still down 5 employees, need to hire 3, one employee out on work comp, one employee out on FMLA, 3 high school students hired to help with yard waste and mowing and 1 college intern hired for the summer to help with mowing.

Miscellaneous: vacant lot downtown has tables now and fencing is completed. It was stated June 26th there will be a dedication to name the lot Ted Horner Community Park and to honor the downtown Hero banners. It was stated the downtown area is really looking nice, business owners are painting and sprucing up their buildings.

The pool is up and running, it has new paint, and they will be having a free pool night soon.

Keith stated the city needs to have a public hearing next week regarding Lakeview Park OSLAD grant. This OSLAD grant will pay for 50% of the project cost and public works can do a lot of the work. The hopes are to have sand volleyball courts, pickleball courts, a splash pad, a pavilion and a workout center.

Mayor Allhands stated the city will be closing soon on the lot downtown and then public works will begin tuck pointing and painting the wall. Mayor Allhands has talked to Nichols Paint and Fab about some pieces for the downtown area as well and Brad Larson and Watseka Sign regarding painted murals.

Mayor Allhands stated he has talked to Carlile regarding the historic district downtown and it looks like the old Courthouse will be taken out, it will just be the primary business district at this time.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 7:20 pm and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/public-works-water-wastewater-6-18-24.pdf