Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council Aug. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Muench to go into a Public Hearing for Ordinance# 2715 Signs, Billboards, Canopies and Awnings. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller to exit Public Hearing for Ordinance# 2715 Signs, Billboards, Canopies and Awnings. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Marcier to Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from July 23rd & July 30th, 2024. Motion passed 6-0.

Public Comment -Pat warren a resident of Watseka was in attendance to discuss 100 W. Walnut the old opera house, she shared that a group of citizens want to work with the city to take over ownership of the opera house, they plan to use grants and investors. They are working on a 501c3, the group is calling themselves Watseka Community Renewal. This group would like the deed and title to be given to them after the roof and the Traditions wall is fixed. Rather than the funds be used to demolish they would like to see the money given to them, they need money to set up a 501c3. The group goal is to have the opera house become a self-supporting revenue by having events, concerts, and other activities, pop-up shops, by doing this they hope to grow new business, and attract more people. Once this project is complete, they would offer their services to other historic buildings to save the history that the town has. John Donohue spoke that he has Servpro come and check for mold, he shared that the building does have mold but it can be taken care of, he asked the council to keep in mind if the building is tore down mold spores could spread take that into consideration, next week he will have an estimate for this and the results of the tests that Servpro took.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2713- Granting a Variation to Allow the Continued Maintenance of An Accessory Structure on the Property Commonly Known As 433 South Sixth Street, Watseka, Illinois Following the Demolition of the Principal Structure Theron

• Ordinance #2714- Granting a Variation to Allow an Accessory Structure Having A Total Area of 384 Square Feet on the Property Commonly Known at 506 East Cherry Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2715-Amending Title 12, Zoning, Chapter 13, Signs, Billboards, Canopies and Awnings, of the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2716- Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 813 West Franklin Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2717-Ordinance of the City of Watseka Iroquois County, Illinois Approving a $200,000 Loan to TNS Developments LLC-Commercial RE LLC From the Revolving Loan Fund to Finance the Purchase and Rehabilitation of Real Property Located at 1009 West Lafayette, Watseka Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2713- Granting a Variation to Allow the Continued Maintenance of An Accessory Structure on the Property Commonly Known As 433 South Sixth Street, Watseka, Illinois Following the Demolition of the Principal Structure Theron

• Ordinance #2714- Granting a Variation to Allow an Accessory Structure Having A Total Area of 384 Square Feet on the Property Commonly Known at 506 East Cherry Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2715-Amending Title 12, Zoning, Chapter 13, Signs, Billboards, Canopies and Awnings, of the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2716- Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 813 West Franklin Street, Watseka Illinois

• Ordinance #2717-Ordinance of the City of Watseka Iroquois County, Illinois Approving a $200,000 Loan to TNS Developments LLC-Commercial RE LLC From the Revolving Loan Fund to Finance the Purchase and Rehabilitation of Real Property Located at 1009 West Lafayette, Watseka Illinois

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Muench to set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 6-0. A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by DeLahr to accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 6-0. Standing Committee Reports

Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller Claims in the amount of $293,478.63. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Muench Accept and place on the file the July Treasurers report. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Lee Excavating demolish 345 W North St $7850

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Façade Grants to Mary’s Emporium: 128 W Walnut $2458, 132 W Walnut $5,000. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by DeLahr Accept United Health Care New Annual Insurance Premium $223,149.39. Motion passed 6-0.

Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Purchase from USA Bluebook a catch basket $2218.90. Motion passed 6-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Increase Andrew Walton & Ben Norgaard wages to $23.25 per hour effective 8/27/24. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr voting no.

Public Safety - None

Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier 306 W Oak St: Lee Excavating $11,900 to demolish. Motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson 813 W Franklin St: Purchase from County Agent for $797.00 Motion passed 6-0.

Miscellaneous Business –

A motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Anderson Accept letter of Resignation from Code Enforcement Bill Walver. Motion passed 6-0.

Discussion and Possible Action for Structural Engineer quotes for the JC Penney Building at 100 W Walnut St. -Carlile Group $22,000 Lots of discussion was had on this, Alderman Miller shared that he feels this should be tabled for now until a decision has been made. Alderman Miller shared estimates of some of the cost associated with saving the building and for demolition. Alderman Marcier shared he knows how the council feels on this but why spend more money to have it demolished and why not restore it, we have a group ready to take it, he does not want to see another grass lot. Alderman Anderson read highlights from city council meetings in 2021 that the council felt the building was a hazard, and a danger to the citizens. Mayor Allhands asked Alderman Anderson what recorder he used, he then shared that this started with two former Alderman that yes it was a hazard with all the mattresses in the building. Discussion was then had on some of the other properties the city has purchased. Alderman Marcier shared that in three years nothing has changed, Alderman Anderson said all that has changed is that the city owns it now. Alderwoman DeLahr then asked if the city was going to buy all the buildings that are not taken care of and not hold the owners responsible; the taxpayers should not be responsible for this; the city purchased the building, and they should not have. Alderman Anderson said once again they would gladly hand over the property for $1 to this group or the city could sell it as is. No action was taken this will go back to committee.

Keith from Robinson gave an update on the road work that Gallagher is doing. Alderman Marcier mentioned the Electronic Recycling event that will be held on Sept. 7th at the Riverside parking lot from 9a-noon. Alderman Anderson shared that the city has an opportunity with the Big Boy Steam Engine coming to Watseka Sept. 9th 5pm-5:30pm it will be stopped for ½ hour on the north street tracks, this will bring lots of people to town. Mayor Allhands shared that the McTaggart’s were present at the meeting tonight they just recently purchased a building downtown, and the stained glass the found looks great. Mayor Allhands then mentioned IMH Physical Therapy Dept. that there are different

sponsorship levels, but this will have to wait until next month, if the council can support our local hospital we should. Mayor Allhands also shared that Kankakee County saved 18 million fire and police pensions is the council in agreement if he talks to Bernardi and looks at numbers, everyone was ok with this.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Miller to adjourn at 7:08pm. Motion passed 6-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/council-meeting-8-27-24.pdf