Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met May 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Mayor Marcier present were Alderman Muench, Brault, Petersen, Miller, Pence, Dewitt, Alderwoman Rohlfs, Absent Alderman Garfield.

Mayor Marcier shared before the meeting that the Run for the Wall was in Watseka today, there were roughly 300 motorcycles, Legion Post #23 provided them with lunch they presented the city with a plaque.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from Tuesday, April 22nd & April 29th, 2025. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment-Taylor Rogers with Rogers Media Group was in attendance to express her concern she is a local business owner, and she feels there needs to be transparency, she has nothing bad to say about Phil at center Street but there were no public bids, no proposals she felt that this was a back door deal. She shared the city asked her about doing a video for the OSLAD Grant, this was a free service she did not charge she feels before there is a $21,000 payout she never got a call or was asked, she has concern with this process or the lack of, this is taxpayer money, Strategy matters, she also shared that Jani Marie films is another small local business that was over looked too, she asked the council table this for now so that others may give a fair bid.

Merrill Crowley-Merrill was in attendance to discuss burning in Watseka. He mentioned that this is a whole new council and a new mayor, congrats to you all. He shared he has been coming to these meetings for six years, he lives at 119 W. Jackson and his wife has CPOD issues, other people have health issues, he shared that for six years no one has listened to him, he was asked why others do not come and he shared that the city has not done anything for him, why would they. Mr. Crowley then read the current ordinance #2093. The burning of the burn pile is a huge issue. A few weeks ago there were 17-mile hour winds and a burn ban for the county, and they lit the pile and then they burned green wood they are burning when the wind is not out of the north. He does not feel that the city is following the ordinance. Mr. Crowley said that he was not nice to Loren PW Director when he spoke to him, he apologized to him. Loren then spoke up and said there was no burn ban in effect if there was the Fire Chief would have let him know, Mr. Crowley said it then caught the mulch pile on fire since it was not attended. Mr. Crowley stated this is the last time he is going to bother the city with this; he is in the process of finding a lawyer he hates to do it that way but in six years no response. Alderman Petersen asked Mr. Crowley what he was asking for, Mr. Crowley responded to follow the ordinance he suggested a curtain burner years ago with a cost of $30,000 and the city was not interested and now the cost has gone up. Mayor Marcier shared that the Fire Department was called to put out that fire, the staff did not see anything that was alarming Loren PW Director shared there was not a burn ban in effect, fire was not lit that day week prior embers were buried and mother nature caused them to spark up with the wind. Loren shared they try to only burn when the wind is out of the north, but they have no control over the weather. Loren apologized, they have concerns for all the citizens and they did not leave the fire unattended, Mr. Crowley said that things have improved greatly, Alderman Pence shared he lives close to Mr. Crowley, and he has a few ideas he will get with Loren PW Director on it.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2746-Authorizing and providing for the Reissuance and extension of a $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of The City of Watseka, Iroquois County

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2747-Amending Title 10, Water and Sewer, Chapter 4, Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Rates and Charges, by Changing Section 10-4-2, Water and Sewer rates for Commercial Users and Section 10-4-3, Water and Sewer Rates for Residential Users, of the Watseka City Code. Mayor Marcier shared this is to freeze the water rates for 12 months and then revisit it.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Brault Ordinance #2746- Authorizing and providing for the Reissuance and extension of a $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of The City of Watseka, Iroquois County. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Miller Ordinance #2747-Amending Title 10, Water and Sewer, Chapter 4, Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Rates and Charges, by Changing Section 10-4-2, Water and Sewer rates for Commercial Users and Section 10-4-3, Water and Sewer Rates for Residential Users, of the Watseka City Code. Motion passed 7-0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Claims in the amount of $389.136.42 Motion passed 7-0.

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

Center Street $21,000/year for videos pay from Promotions 1-10-6016-Holf off for now.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Ruder technologies move AT&T Fiber over to ABI Fiber Phones to ESI $55.04/month along with a 1 Time Set Up Fee of $1932.35. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Advanced Computer Cyber Security monthly fee $420 along with a 1 time set up fee of $399.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Pence, seconded by Miller Invest $1,000,000.00 with Iroquois Federal for 6 months at 4.38%. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Rohlfs Donate to the Watseka Farmers Market $2,000 pay from Promotions 1-10-1016. Motin passed 6-0 with Alderwoman Rohlfs abstaining.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs Donate to Knights of Columbus Fireworks $14,000 pay from Promotions 1-10-1016. Motion passed 5-0 with Aldermen Pence and Miller abstaining.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Brault-DTI Copier 60-month lease Police department $184.65 per month along with service charge of $35 per month. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller DTI Copier 60-month Lease City Hall $117.80 along with a service charge of $35 per month. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Robinson Engineering for E Oak and E Cherry St. $51,900. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Safety

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Promote Andrew Johnson to Sgt. In the Auxiliary Department. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Miller Repair Engine in the Tahoe for a cost of $3,081.65. Motion passed 7-0.

Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by DeWitt, seconded by Rohlfs Silo Pub signage of a Silo-allowed per state and federal regulations. Motion passed 7-0.

Miscellaneous Business: Alderman Petersen brought some questions on how the council’s process works; he passed out a sheet and the council discussed them. Alderman Petersen asked for thoughts or suggestions what improvements can be made, the council is up for talking about this with the city attorney’s approval.

Alderman Brault asked City Attorney Cainkar with being on the Fire Dept. what can he and what can he not vote on, City Attorney Cainkar advised if it is personal or about salaries to abstain, voting for equipment is fine.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller to adjourn at 7:01 pm. Motion passed 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4146