Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met April 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Cahoe and Alderwoman Rohlfs

Mayor Allhands opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. During Public Comment Mike Burhmeister spoke to the council thanking them for taking away some of the parking spots on W Walnut St so that his semis can make the turn easier to get to the fertilizer plant on South 2nd.

Mayor Allhands stated there have been numerous meetings regarding the OSLAD grant for Lakeview Park. The planning commission met, there was a public meeting here at city hall that was well attended, and this has been discussed for several months with the committees. There were a lot of good comments about the proposed projects at Lakeview Park. There were a few concerns also regarding the geese, and the proposed splash pad but Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor stated he feels that all the concerns have been answered and addressed. The city’s portion of the grant is $580,000 but the city can do a lot of the work so that figure should be about half. These projects need to be done within 2 years and the city’s portion of the grant will be paid from water and sewer and the general fund. Loren stated the splash pad will not get done until next year as it’s too late to get started this year. Alderman Marcier stated he is going to take some of the promotions line item monies to use for the projects. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to move forward with the OSLAD Grant for Lakeview Park and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 4-2 with Alderwoman DeLahr and Alderman Anderson voting no. Alderwoman DeLahr stated she voted no because she feels that money would be better spent on roads.

Mayor Allhands stated the Muller property off of Elm St has been the proposed site for the Laborers’ Home Development project. There was discussion about the new road that would be built that would also help during flood events to get around. The Mullers are asking $90,000 for the 9.55 acres of land. Mayor Allhands stated this cant be passed tonight as the ordinance wasn’t done in time so it will be on the agenda for next Tuesday’s full council meeting. There was also discussion that only about 20% of this property is in the 500-year flood plain.

Mayor Allhands stated he hoped the incoming council would continue with re instating TIF Districts.

Alderman Marcier stated he wanted to make sure it was clear that the OSLAD grant expenditures would not be coming out of the street and alley fund.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to adjourn at 6:50 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4046