Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Safety Committee met July 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Fire Chief Ken Baier, Police Chief Jeremy Douglas, Police Officer Joshua Douglas Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas gave the Auxiliary report: 1 person absent and no call outs for the month of June. The department went over the 4th of July parade and assigned intersections to each member.

Fire Chief Ken Baier stated his department had 2 fires, 7 first responder calls, 14 ambulance calls, 4 MVA’s, 9 automatic alarms and 6 miscellaneous calls for the month of June. Training for June consisted of SCBA MOD D&B, drivers training/Scene size up, fire critique, and boat training. Public Works has fixed the front pad at station 1 and added a side pad on the north side of station one. Chief Baier stated the committee has a copy of an intergovernmental agreement for emergency medical services between the City of Watseka and Woodland Fire Protection District. This agreement is good for 365 days and will be renewed at the time if all goes as it should. The department went to the park district for a public education class and also completed 5 house inspections.

Police Chief Jeremy Douglas reported his department had 378 calls for the month of June. There was a short discussion of some of the calls. Chief stated the noise problem has calmed down for now. Chief stated the department was with IWIN through the state, but the contract has now expired, and the department can’t use their MDCs like they should. When they need to run a plate etc., they now must call into ICOM. Chief stated the body and car cams are still being used they way they should, IWIN does not affect them. Chief has investigated Central Square but the start up is $26,000 and has a yearly cost of $8,000- $9,000. With the officers not being able to use the MDC’s the way they should stops are lasting longer.

Police Officer Joshua Douglas spoke next. He stated the current police contract will give tuition reimbursement for an associate and a bachelor’s degree. He would like to pursue a graduate degree and is asking if the city would be interested in opening up the contract to add graduate degree tuition reimbursement. He stated it takes 2 years for a graduate degree and the cost is $368 per credit including books.

At 6:59 pm Alderman Marcier makes a motion to enter executive session for compensation of employees and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. Sgt. Harris and Officer Josh Douglas will be attending.

At 7:41 pm Alderman Marcier makes a motion to go back to regular session and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Alderman Barragree stated no action is being taken from executive session.

At 7:42 pm Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn, and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xVCwUgAVoUNzzcWrlShqWoe2nzC5t6XKeFU-uuwh-jQ/edit