Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works/Water Wastewater Committee met June 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

ABSENT: Alderman Brault

GUESTS: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor and Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 8:15 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following:

Test Wells: IEPA has approved the permit for Well 12 and Peerless will be starting on the well in early August

Lead Service Line Inventory: 1 lead service line was replaced on S 4th St on June 11th Grant for Watermain Extension on Elm St: Loren stated public works will be doing the work on Brianna Dr to Sycamore St. Work on Sycamore to 8th and 3rd St will be starting soon. The right of ways and easement paperwork is on the agenda for the full council meeting for next week. They hope to break ground in July.

Watermain Breaks: 311 N Chicago 6” break on June 13th.

Watermain Projects: Belmont & 6th scheduled for June, a preconstruction meeting was held May 22nd. The water main on S 6th is already a 8 inch so there is $300,000 to spend somewhere else in TIF 3 or TIF 4 but needs to be used on either water or sewer. Loren stated the city could put in a new water main on S 2nd using these funds. Loren stated the city has $200,000 left over from the water and sewer bond that could be used on water main loops on S 3rd St doing 3 or 4 blocks at a time. There is also $500,000 available in TIF 3 funds. The committee recommends getting the engineering started for the S 2nd St watermain project by putting it on the full council agenda for next week. Wastewater Treatment: 2 first flush pumps removed and getting quotes on rebuilt pumps. $201,000 for new pumps and $125,000 to rebuild the pumps. These pumps were installed in 1998, it will take 12-16 weeks to get new pumps -this will be on the agenda for next week. IEPA Inspection: Loren stated he had an inspection at the plant and it was the first one in 5-6 years and the EPA said it’s the best he has seen it in a long time.

Parks: Loren has received the exercise equipment and he showed everyone a possible band shell pavilion that is similar to the one at Peters Park. This pavilion will be done next year. Loren stated Keith has also staked out the area at Lakeview for the exercise spot and the sand volleyball and the pickleball space.

Donovan Park: Loren stated there is an ordinance on the agenda for next week to take ownership of the park from Donovan Trust. The trust is short on funds and has $14,000 left they will give the city when they take over. The city has been mowing the park but not doing any maintenance on the playground equipment. They will begin this when the ordinance has been signed and the money turned over.

Streets: Gallaher started the 2nd fog coat on June 16th.

Street sweeper will be out at the end of June to complete the full route. Cherry St: There is $150,000 left from the 2022 Road Bond that needs to be used soon. There are also MFT monies. Loren would like to move forward with doing E Cherry St from 5th to 8th using that $150,000 and $100,000 from the MFT fund leaving $200,000 left in the MFT fund for next year. This will be on the agenda for next week also. Miscellaneous: Loren addressed the social media issues about the yard waste; he had employee on his own time taking wood from the yard waste on a Sunday. He stated that wood is available to anyone. He also addressed the truck idling issue, he stated some of the trucks are diesel and they have DEF systems and it’s hard on those trucks to turn them off and on when going from one job to another.

Equipment: Loren is in the process of getting the quotes for the new truck that was budgeted for 2025-2026, he will have the quotes for next week. The new 3-ton truck is at the dealership but is still waiting for the dump bed and the plow, these are about 3 months out.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 8:45 and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4211