Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Aug. 26.

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, Pence, Petersen, Miller, Dewitt, Garfield & Alderwoman Rohlfs

Public Comment: Angel Crawford with Iroquois Economic Development Association, and with her Neil Schippert IEDA Treasurer. Angel was in attendance to talk about IEDA; she handed out a folder with information she talked about a few of their accomplishments and shared an upcoming brunch that they are hosting. Neil Schippert shared that IEDA has been around for 55 years, and they are funded by contributions and donations. Neil shared that IEDA is in competition with other towns, but they provide valuable resources he thanked the council for their 2024 donation and hope that they will consider donating for 2025.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from July 22nd, 2025. Motion passed 8-0.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2756- Ordinance of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois Dedicating a 10.00’ X 140.94’Parcel of Real Property Located Along Elm Street Immediately East of Briaana Drive, Watseka, Illinois for Use as A Public Right of Way and Other Public Purposes

• Ordinance #2757- Ordinance of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois Approving a $34,725 Loan to Sugar Creek Trading Company LLC from the Revolving Loan to Finance Working Capital and the Purchase of Equipment for Its Business Located at 127 East Walnut. Watseka, Illinois

• Ordinance #2758- Authorizing a Lease Agreement with BRT outdoor, LLC for a Portion of the Real Properties Located at 1431 West Lafayette, Watseka, and The Right-Of-Wayat the Northeast Corner of Walnut Street and Ernest Grove Parkway

• Ordinance #2760-Granting a Variation to Allow for the Construction of an Addition in a Residence Within Twenty (20’) Foot Rear Setback on the Property Commonly Known as 113 South Loveridge Lane, Watseka, Illinois

• Ordinance #2761- Amending Title & Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 5, Traffic Schedules, Section 8-5-2, Stop Streets of the Watseka City Code

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2756- Ordinance of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois Dedicating a 10.00’ X 140.94’Parcel of Real Property Located Along Elm Street Immediately East of Briaana Drive, Watseka, Illinois for Use as A Public Right of Way and Other Public Purposes

• Ordinance #2757- Ordinance of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois Approving a $34,725 Loan to Sugar Creek Trading Company LLC from the Revolving Loan to Finance Working Capital and the Purchase of Equipment for Its Business Located at 127 East Walnut. Watseka, Illinois

• Ordinance #2758- Authorizing a Lease Agreement with BRT outdoor, LLC for a Portion of the Real Properties Located at 1431 West Lafayette, Watseka, and The Right-Of-Wayat the Northeast Corner of Walnut Street and Ernest Grove Parkway

• Ordinance #2760-Granting a Variation to Allow for the Construction of an Addition in a Residence Within Twenty (20’) Foot Rear Setback on the Property Commonly Known as 113 South Loveridge Lane, Watseka, Illinois

• Ordinance #2761- Amending Title & Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 5, Traffic Schedules, Section 8-5-2, Stop Streets of the Watseka City Code

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to set the Consent Agenda-Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Muench to accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 8-0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Miller Claims in the amount of $526,230.17 Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Pence Accept and place on the file the July Treasurers report. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Pence, seconded by Rohlfs $2500 Donation to Iroquois Economic Development Association Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench United Healthcare Insurance Premium of $275,170.56 annually. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Transfer $250,000 from the general fund 1-10- 8000 into the street and alley fund 6-10-9000. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Works/Water Wastewater

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs Ratify Operators Local 399 Union Contract. Motion passed 8-0.

Rescinded Justin Posey $2.00 per hour increase for CDL License effective 5/1/25, Mayor Marcier read a statement, and Justin Posey no longer works for Public Works, no motion was needed.

A Motion was made by Pence, seconded by Muench Republic Services Dumpster Contract 36 months $685 per haul for 1 year, 2 year and 3 a 5% increase each year. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Brault VFD Pump from Metropolitan Pump for $94,951,00. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Brault Accept the Grant from Ameren Illinois for the VFD Pump for $25,600. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Safety- None

Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Demolish 1213 & 1215 Sugar Creek Court. Motion passed 8-0.

Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs Appoint Mark Garfield to Police Pension. Motion passed 7-1 with Alderman Garfield abstaining.

Solar Farm Discussion- Members from RDC were in attendance Andrew and Alex, they are with RDC Illinois North, they are in attendance to request permission to move forward, they have filed 3 documents, paid the fees did a variance request and a petition for annexation the project site is E. 1885 N. Road County Road 2280. Andrew asked the council if they had any questions, he shared that for the project they would hire local contractors. Alderman Muench asked about subscriptions, Andrew shared that they partner with a 3rd party and they would need to be within Ameren’s service and this is income based. Keith with Robinson shared a few code requirements he was not sure if they were aware, Keith then shared these requirements, a possible figure of a million dollars was discussed. Discussion was had on who would pay that cost the city or the developer, Andrew could not speak on anyone’s behalf, but he could mention this and then circle back around. Discussion was then mentioned about annex agreement. No further questions were asked at that time. Alderman Brault asked about a business directory on the city’s website, Mayor Marcier shared that the chamber already does this, Amanda then shared it is only for chamber businesses not the whole town. Alderwoman Rohlfs asked about the digital signs that they approved, Mayor shared that this was approved tonight and will go forward. Alderman Brault asked about Business Key with 2 key holders, Mayor will ask Cathy about this and then he asked about online water bill payments, credit cards can be used now with no additional cost, the city did look into this before but discussion was had on the costs did the city absorb that or did they put it on the customer. Alderman Brault asked about residential trash services. Tony Moore with Republic Services was in attendance so he spoke on the increase over the years other then the increase of 4% each year not much has changed.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to adjourn at 7:012pm. Motion passed 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4406