Kankakee Times

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

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Alderman Barragree, Marcier, Anderson, Miller, Muench, Alderwoman DeLahr and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Cahoe and Alderwoman Rohlfs

GUEST: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:57 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

Wells-Test Wells: land purchase was 4/8/2025- now waiting on the final review with the EPA

Meter Reading Radios: 1212 installed as of 4/15/25

Watermain Valve Exercising & Locating: Will start again in the fall of 2025 Lead Service Line Inventory Grant: home inspections are still being done, 2 lead service lines were found during potholing -these are scheduled to be replaced, 2 more lead service lines were found during meter pit inspections, 135 bboxes hydro excavated. Grant for Watermain Extension on Elm St: will try again next year, City will be doing Brianna Dr to Sycamore-working on getting easements signed.

North St Watermain Extension: design depends on the test well outcome Watermain Breaks: None last month

Watermain Projects: Belmont & 6th St scheduled for June 2025, Brianna to Sycamore 12” watermain-working on right of way agreements , work expected to take start in June 2025 by city employees

Wastewater Treatment Plant: 3 slide gate valves-stainless steel valves are ordered and are about $10,000 cheaper

Locust & Brown Street Manhole Project: Waiting for asphalt to start up. GIS Mapping: Working on adding a layer to track road work and conditions Parks: Park Bathrooms are opened and Peters Park bathroom has been repaired Streets: No parking on east side from Fairman to Coney-signs installed and curb will be painted yellow,

MFT Heat & Recycle-Gallaher will be back in May to apply second coat Martin Ave: sewer main and laterals installed, Watermain completed and loop opened.

Storm Sewer partially completed, dirt work taking place

Road Projects: TIF 3 funds approved with IPC bid, work will start in June when school is out 2nd & Walnut St: Turn lanes have been setback and cameras have been adjusted for detection

North St RR: Stop bars have been installed at North St and 5th St.

Crack Sealing: Loren has 2 quotes from Freehill Asphalt for Lincoln St from 4th to Ralph St for $16,300 and Hamilton 4th to 5th, 4th St from Jackson to Legion Park War Memorial and Fairman Ave from Belmont to 4th St. for $23,500.00. Loren stated this crack sealing extends the life of the roads, there are several in the city were the road is starting to split in the center where the asphalt comes together. Loren stated because of the way they were bid the city can’t use MFT funds to pay for these. Loren suggests the city start to budget for this every year from now on. After a short discussion Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the quote from Freehill Asphalt for $23,500 project and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Street Sweeper: the sweeper operated the full route last month and it will doing the full route again in April

Concrete Pad and Barrier: Concrete pad and barrier walls were built at public works for the spray patch machine rock material. Spray patching will start up next month Staffing: currently down 3 employees, need to hire 2 and leave 3rd position open for summer help

Miscellaneous: Compensatory storage for 2019 Public Works building is being excavated at the corner lot on Sheridan & 2nd St

30 trees were removed by public works and 6 by Marquis Tree Service Loren has a quote from Conxxus for internet at the wwtp and public works. The current internet is with Medicom and it keeps going out. Loren has talked to Ruder about the speed needed. Ruder suggested 200M/200M for a cost at each facility of $139/ month for 48 months. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the 200M/200M from Conxxus at $139/ month each for 48 months. There is no cost to install. Alderwoman DeLahr seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Alderman DeLahr stated she wanted to clarify her earlier no vote regarding the OSLAD grant where she stated she would like for that money to go to roads-she meant to say it should go for infrastructure.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn at 7:19 pm and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4051