Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met June 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Muench, Dewitt, Petersen, Pence, Garfield, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier

ABSENT: Alderman Brault

GUESTS: Karlee Macer and Tammy Miller with Laborers Home Development, Bill Pryzbylski with Community Digital Displays

Mayor Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Karlee Marcer and Tammy Miller with Labors Home Development gave a presentation regarding the possible new development on the property that the city purchased from the Mullers off of E Elm St. During her presentation she stated this is not section 8 housing as those are low-income housing rentals where the renters pay 30% of the rent and the government pays the rest. This development will be called Watseka Community Apartments, and they are regulated by the federal government. She went on to state the property taxes are based on income and not the market value of the property. The Illinois application will be submitted in October, and the full application will be submitted in March. There are 9.5 acres that the city is purchasing from the Mullers, and a new road has been put into the design. This will be discussed more in upcoming meetings as the project progresses.

Bill Przbylski with Community Digital Displays gave a presentation next. His company installs digital signs at no cost to the city. They currently work with 16 towns, and they monitor the signs 24/7. The signs are paid for through the ads from the community and the size of the signs can be 6x12, 7x4, 8x16 and 9x18. Mr. Przybylski is suggesting a sign on the east and west sides of town. The signs will be on city property or a right of way or an easement. The city will get 1 slot that will run 1100 times a day for 10 seconds each. Mayor Marcier stated he thought that the smiley water tower would be a good place as that is city owned property. Alderman Pence made a motion to recommend to the council to move forward with the Community Digital Displays and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Mayor Marcier stated the committee has before them some quotes from Ruder Technologies, $1,486.95 to install an eagle eye camera monitor in the squad room so the officers have access to the cameras in the parks. Currently that have access on the city owned cell phones, but this would allow them to have a 55-inch TV in the squad room to view all of the cameras. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to install an Eagle Eye Camera Monitor in the squad room for a cost from Ruder Technologies for $1486.95 plus the cost of a 55-inch TV. Alderman Pence seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Mayor Marcier stated he would like to update the council chambers by adding 2 large monitors on the North and South end of the room to view presentations better instead of having the audience turn around to see the screen. The cost from Ruders is $4,942.00 plus buying 2 75-inch TV’s and electrical from Ruders for a cost of $1,950.00. The committee agrees with these proposals but would like to have a local electrician do the electrical work. This will be added to the full council agenda for next week.

Mayor Marcier read a letter from Phil Gioja from Center Street Productions. Last month during finance he gave the committee 3 proposals to promote the city. A few days later social media was upset that the city didn’t contact other video production companies in the city. Mayor Marcier stated the city didn’t reach out to Center Street, he came to the city with ideas. Last month the committee agreed to a proposal of $21,000 and they are in agreement now that the city should move forward with that proposal as projects are happening in the city and now is the time to be showcasing them and if other companies have ideas/quotes they should bring them to the city. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the original proposal of $21,000 from Center Street and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-1 with Alderman Dewitt voting no as he feels there is no need for this.

Mayor Marcier stated that 1 transfer needs to be made to close out the 2013 bond that was refinanced to the 2015 bond and then to the 2018 bond. Aldermen Pence makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $363.07 from the 2013 project fund into the debt service fund 59-10-1000 and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 8-0

Alderman Garfield stated he has reached out to some food truck vendors for the 4th of July and they are all booked.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 8:13 pm and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4201