Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Sandy Perry with CliftonLarsonAllen, Jason Cahoe, Shawn Peters and Cy West with the Watseka Family Festival

Alderman Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Sandy Perry with CliftonLarsonAllen gave the annual audit presentation for the fiscal year 2023- 2024. The audit is now finished and there were no problems. She did state in the future the city will need to look at a policy and procedure for IT.

Jason Cahoe, Shawn Peters and Cy West spoke next. They gave an update on last year’s festival financial information. They thanked the city for the donation. They stated attendance was up. They had a new carnival this year as well as a different car show, the police and fire held a water fight and there was color run also. All these new events were well attended. The festival is working on the upcoming Winterfest, something they did last year also. Winterfest is a fee event for the residents. They are ready to book the 2025 events and are asking for the city to donate again this year. There was some discussion, but the committee will think about it and get back to the festival soon.

Alderman Marcier stated he has been talking to Eric Raymond with ICOM about the dispatch fees that will be increasing. They will be negotiating a new union contract soon. Alderman Marcier stated he has been told the fees could go up to $162,500 and they are currently $126,000. Alderman Anderson asked if Mr. Raymond could attend the next finance meeting and explain the numbers and why the fees will be increasing to that amount. Alderman Marcier will get in touch with Mr. Raymond.

Alderman Marcier stated there are 2 TIF 4 disbursements to be made. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the Council to make a TIF 4 reimbursement to Designer Homes for $2896.47 (605 S 5th & 219 E Hamilton) and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to make a TIF 4 reimbursement to JR Developments for $1567.00 (141-143 Brown St) and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the IMLRMA liability insurance is due. The amount is $163,514.15. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to pay IMLRMA $163,514.15 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the September Treasures report and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Iroquois Memorial Hospital is building a new Physical Therapy Center and is asking for a donation. After a short discussion it was decided to have someone from the hospital board come to a meeting to discuss the project.

Alderman Marcier stated there is a new possible owner of 1001 W Smith. The city has $912.00 worth of mowing liens on the property, and she is requesting they be waived. The property was bought off a tax sale from the county. It was stated that when a tax sale happens all liens usually go away. There was discussion about a dead tree on the property. Alderman Anderson makes a motion to recommend to the council to forgo the liens on the property after she takes the dead tree down. Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the cameras have been installed at Kay Park, Peters Park and West Side Park, there is signage in each park. All of the officers have the ap on their cell phones and they are able to view them in the squad room. The video footage is stored in the cloud for 30 days.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to transfer $100,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into street and alley fund 6-10-9000 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

It was stated Heath Osborne and Mark Garfield have both expressed interest in the code enforcement position. Alderman Marcier stated with the police department having 12 officers now maybe they can pick up some of the code violations. Alderman Anderson reported the officers are busy with law enforcement, maybe this could be a part time position. Alderman Cahoe stated he has talked to building inspector Eric Brandt and he would be interested with some addition pay.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to adjourn at 7:29 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/finance-10-15-24.pdf