Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Waters/Water Wastewater Committee met July 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Resident Mike Schuler, Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor and Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 7:31 pm. During public comment resident Mike Schuler from 468 E Cherry St spoke about a tree that fell on his car. He is not happy with the way the city’s insurance adjuster handled his claim by not returning phone calls. Mr. Schuler stated he had contacted a former Alderwoman a few years ago about the condition of the tree and the public works supervisor at that time, but nothing was done. Mr. Schuler did thank Alderman Cahoe and Anderson and Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor for there help in getting the tree taken down. There was also discussion about another tree in that area that is in poor condition per the neighbors.

Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor reported on the following:

Test Wells: the property that the city wanted to use for test well on county land has now been deemed wetlands so this can no longer be used for a well. The other property has crops on it so it’s in a holding pattern until the crops are out. The other property in the city limits was in the process of being sold but that has now fallen through. Well 11: Metropolitan completed the SCADA work, and the well is now in operation Well 6: Cap and abandonment is scheduled for August

North St Watermain Extension under Railroad: bids for asphalt will be going to IDOT next week to be posted on there website- this will need to be posted for 2 weeks. Alderman Cahoe asked why this wasn’t included in the original bid-Keith/Loren stated it was but by the time the project was finished the plant was closed, this has not been paid for. Lead Service Line Inventory Grant approved: public works will be doing 50 pot holing for the IEPA

Locust/Brown Street Manhole Project: Bid opening is 7/22/24

Grant St Drainage Project: project completed 7/3/24 except for the restoration that public works will be doing

Kingdon’s Drainage Project: new 72” structure and 48” pipe installed, and 2-36” structures and 100’ of 12” sewer has been installed

Parks: LED lighting at the tennis courts at Peters Park completed and is on a push button timer. Bleachers have been moved to the soccer fields for the season from Peters Park Streets: MFT heat and recycle project -public works have completed their portion of the project, 31 ADA ramps installed, and project is scheduled for beginning of August Martin Ave Extension: all contracts are signed, and preconstruction meeting was held this morning. No start date set yet.

Spray Patch Machine: work in progress

Concrete: 20.5 yard poured this month for sidewalks

Staffing: down 5 employees, need to hire 4, 1 employee terminated, 1 employee is on FMLA, 1 job offer out, 2 employees are signed up for a CDL course July 22nd and 24th Equipment: Loren has a quote from Mccullough’s for a Battle Ax tree grinder for $20,895.00 after a short discussion Alderwoman DeLahr makes a motion to recommend to the Council to purchase the Battle Ax Tree Grinder from McCullough’s for $20,895 and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Loren stated he purchased new brushes for the skid loader broom attachment for $981 and purchased a new water tester for the pool for $1,402.

Alderwoman DeLahr asked the about geese nest and egg removal. Loren stated the city spent $1,000 for the company to come in and remove them as they are protected and need to be handled in a special way.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 8:15 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/public-works-water-wastewater-7-16-24.pdf