Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works/Water Wastewater Committee met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor, Keith Mullholand with Robinson Engineering and Resident Rick Orr

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 7:30 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Supervisor Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects: Test Wells: North St test well drilling started today

New Well 11: Operating permit has been submitted

Well 6: Watermain scheduled to be cut and capped outside of building Meter Reading Improvements-Radios: 1212 installed as of today

Watermain Valve Exercising and Locating: Westside completed, may need to cut in valves in certain locations

North Street Watermain Extension & Locating: Preconstruction meeting to be held Thursday at 10:30, possibly 2 weeks to get started

Watermain Breaks: 4” watermain break on 9/23/2024 at Market & Iroquois Source Water Protection Plan: Robinson Engineering is working on this Watermain Projects: Loren give the committee 4 possible water main projects: a) 2nd St from Jackson to Cherry, Cherry from Jackson to 3rd St $1,355,200 2) Belmont Ave from Martin Ave to Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Ave from Belmont Ave to South 6th, South 6th from Lincoln to Mulberry $799,900.00. 3) Faith St to Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Ave from Faith to 6th St, 6th St from Lincoln Ave to Mulberry St $744,800. 4) Mulberry St from Short St to Tenth St. $674,250. The discussion went to what projects could use TIF 3 funds. Loren stated if the committee chose to do #2 the road would have to be done. Loren stated Mulberry St from Short to Tenth is the cheapest and could get done in 2025. Keith stated Robinson had submitted the Elm St watermain project to the state again.

Wastewater Treatment Plant: NPDES permit renewal 2025- Robinson is working on this Locust/Brown Street Manhole Project: this project is scheduled to start 10/28 and should take about 3 weeks to complete

602 E Lincoln: manhole has been ordered

Lincoln & Belmont: ADA ramps installed and waiting for lighted stop signs Fairman & 4th St: all way stop signs installed, Alderman Anderson asked about putting flags on the stop signs so the residents will see the signs.

MFT Heat and Recycle project: still waiting for fog coat, maybe happening tomorrow the sub-contractor is not returning phone calls

Martin Ave Extension: contracts are signed and waiting for scheduling Spray Patch Machine: currently operating to fill potholes

Road Projects: Loren gave the committee a list of possible road projects using TIF monies for a mill and overlay: Hanson Dr, Jordans Ct, McGill Dr, Martin Ave, Belmont Ave, and Coney Ave.

327 W Park Ave: Resident Rick Orr stated this a vacant lot next to his property that the city owns and he would like to take possession of it and maintain it. He wants to put up a fence and some bushes. He owns the duplexes, and this would give his tenants more room, he doesn’t want to build anything on the lot. Loren stated there is a sewer main that runs east and west. Mr. Orr stated he wants to put the fence north and south. Loren stated if the city is going let Mr. Orr take care of the lot, then the city needs a blanket easement on the entire lot, and then give him a variance for the fence. Loren asked who is going to pay for the survey and the legal documentation. Mr. Orr stated he would pay up to $800. It was stated there might have to be an appraisal done of the property because it is taxpayer money. Mr. Orr left the meeting and no decision was made.

209, 217 & 228 E Walnut: these are the vacant lots, Loren has removed the barricade and put up a parking block. Alderman Anderson and DeLahr asked about putting a for sale sign on those lots. There was some discussion about doing some improvements on the lots. Loren suggested the city talk to the Oil Changer business next door maybe they would be interested in purchasing the lot closest to them for more parking. Mayor Allhands will contact a realtor.

Mayor Allhands asked Keith Mulholland why it took so long to the Martin Ave project underway. Mayor Allhands stated he has some concerns with Robinson Engineering. Keith stated land acquisition projects take much longer to complete.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 8:30 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/public-works-water-wastewater-10-15-24.pdf