Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met April 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Mayor Allhands present were Alderman Muench, Barragree, Miller, Marcier, Anderson and Alderwomen DeLahr and Rohlfs. Absent Alderman Cahoe.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Rohlfs to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. Motion passed 7-0.

Mayor Allhands presented plagues to outgoing Alderpersons, Mayor Elect Marcier presented Mayor Allhands with a plaque and shared a few things that he had accomplished.

City Attorney Joe Cainkar swore in the Mayor, Treasurer, Clerk and Alderman, they took their new seats.

Public Comment-None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2745-Authorizing the purchase of Approximately 9.55 Acres of Real Property Commonly known as the Muller Subdivision, Watseka Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2745- Authorizing the purchase of Approximately 9.55 Acres of Real Property Commonly known as the Muller Subdivision, Watseka Illinois

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Ordinance #2745- Authorizing the purchase of Approximately 9.55 Acres of Real Property Commonly known as the Muller Subdivision, Watseka Illinois. Motion passed 7-0. This will be paid out of line-item number 1-10-6901.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Claims in the amount of $529,378.85 Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller Accept and place on the file the March Treasurers report. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Transfer $83,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into police pension 40-10-5001. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench Transfer $112,500 from liquor tax 1-10-8025 into police pension 40-10-5010. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Muench Transfer $112,500 from liquor tax 1-10-1025 into promotions line item 1-10-1049. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller Transfer $161,500 from gaming 1-10-8020 into police pension 40-10-5005. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Rohlfs Transfer $200,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into Street & Alley 6-10-9000. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller Transfer $200,000 from general fund 1-10-1000 fund into capital purchase 1-10-1045. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Garfield Transfer $75,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into Revolving Loan Fund 40-10-5000. Motion passed 7-0.

Purchase 2 copiers and 2 printers from Zerox Business Solutions for $8453.78 payable from Equipment line item 1-40-6900. This was tabled.

Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Freehill Asphalt Crack Sealing $23,500.00- Hamilton St. from 4th to 5th, 4th St. from Jackson to Legion Park War Memorial, and Fairman Ave from Belmont to 4th St. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Garfield voting no.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Muench Conxxus internet 200M/200M for 48 months for a cost of $139.00 each for WWTP and Public Works. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Safety

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Garfield Riverside Ambulance Agreement for 2 years at $15,150,00 per year. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderman Brault abstaining and Alderman Petersen voting no.

Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Garfield DNR Flood Mitigation-Lee Farms Aggregate bid $45,500 for 813 W. Franklin, 101 Fidler Ct. and 559 N 4th St. Motion passed 7-0.

Mayor’s Appointments

City Attorney- Louis Cainkar Attorney LTD

Police Chief Eric Starkey $60.10/hour Effective 5/1/2025

Code Enforcement Shane Eades $25.20/hour (part-time) Effective 5/1/2025 Fire Chief Ken Baier

Public Works Director/Water Wastewater Superintendent Loren Grosvenor

Administrative Assistant/City Collector Cathy Molck

Alderman Muench asked if all of these are Mayor appointed or does the council have any say so. Alderman Muench asked if he could make a statement, he stated that this is not personal against Eric Starkey put he fought for 15 years while he was on the department to get people promoted he has a feeling that this decision is going to set the department back, Mark Harris stepped up when we needed a chief and it feels like we just pulled the rug out from under him, he is the Public Safety Chair and he talks to the department he does not want to see the department go backwards he stated that there are 4 officers who maybe looking at going elsewhere due to this decision, he did not like how this played out, Mayor Marcier shared that Eric Starkey is qualified and Harris was not. Eric was one of the four to be chosen, Alderman Muench shared that Eric turned it down, Harris stepped up, he was hoping that the new council would discuss this and he prays things go smoother in the future, Mayor Marcier shared out of the 4 that applied Eric was chosen he decided to come on and he has all of the requirements. Alderman Muench shared that Harris has enrolled in classes, Harris made it clear he wanted to be chief, he really wanted to see the new council involved in this process.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to accept the Mayor’s Appointments. Motion passed 5-1 with Alderman Brault abstaining and Alderman Muench voting no. City Attorney Joe Cainkar swore in new Police Chief Eric Starkey.

Miscellaneous Business-Alderman Garfield spoke on the police pension how underfunded it is he suggested looking at more liquor and gaming tax money to go into the police pension to get it back to where it needs to be, he also shared that the Opera House needs to come down and Traditions Bar needs fixed, he will continue to bring these items up while is on the council he will not be quiet about it.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree to adjourn at 7:08pm. Motion passed 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4066