Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Sept. 23.

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, Miller, Dewitt, Garfield & Alderwoman Rohlfs. Absent Alderman Petersen.

Public Comment: None

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from August 26th, September 9 and September 11th, 2025. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to enter Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation of a Specific employee. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to exit Executive Session. Motion passed 7-0. Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2762-Amending Title 3, Finances and taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, By Adding Article H, Municipal Grocery Tax, of the Watseka City Code, City Attorney Cainkar gave an explanation.

• Ordinance #2763-Approving a Franchise Agreement for Residential and Municipal Scavenger Services with Allied Waste Transportation, Inc

• Ordinance #2764-Amending Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 1, Police Department, Sections 6-1- 1 Through 6-1-8 Of the Watseka City Code

• Resolution 2025-3-Adopting the 2025 Iroquois County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan

• Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Medical Services Between the City of Watseka and the Woodland Fire Protection District

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2762-Amending Title 3, Finances and taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, By Adding Article H, Municipal Grocery Tax, of the Watseka City Code City Attorney Cainkar gave an explanation.

• Ordinance #2763-Approving a Franchise Agreement for Residential and Municipal Scavenger Services with Allied Waste Transportation, Inc

• Ordinance #2764-Amending Title 6, Public Safety, Chapter 1, Police Department, Sections 6-1- 1 Through 6-1-8 Of the Watseka City Code

• Resolution 2025-3-Adopting the 2025 Iroquois County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan

• Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Medical Services Between the City of Watseka and the Woodland Fire Protection District

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to set the Consent Agenda-Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs to accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7- 0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Claims in the amount of $530,332.39 Motion passed 7-0.

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

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Brault Republic Services Residential Contract 4% increase each year for the next 5 years. Motion passed 7-0.

ICOM Agreement Discussion and Possible Action $162,397.90 12/1/24-11/30/25-Tabled

Hiring of Project Manager for Public Works Water Wastewater-Tabled special-called meeting next Monday or Tuesday.

Public Works/Water Wastewater -None

Public Safety- None

Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Garfield Façade Grant to Super 8 for $5,000. Motion passed 7-0.

Miscellaneous Business

A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Trick or Treat October 31st from 4-7. Motion passed 7-0

Status of fixing the roof at Traditions @ 104 W. Walnut St.

Update on funding options for the demolition of the JC Penny Building

Mayor Marcier shared that the last 3 items are all together. Alderman Garfield promised that he would stay on top of this, in February Mayor spoke to Mary at Traditions, is there anything on this. Mayor stated that he spoke to her in May and consulted the attorney. The city is waiting to hear from Mary’s Insurance Adjuster, we have not heard anything. Alderman Garfield asked if we asked or followed up. Mayor stated that he had not, and he had not heard anything, the only comment the mayor made was Mary did not want her insurance rates to go up. Alderman Garfield stated the JC Penny building is not getting any better, he had been contacted last month about the risk management of it falling, he made a statement at the forum and he will say it again he prays to god that the Elks Club is not full when it comes down, the tarp has come off, it’s not any better he is a strong advocate on this, people are sleeping in there he has seen them on his way to work, we can’t keep kicking the can down the road let’s do something why aren’t we tearing it down. Alderman Dewitt said that there is nothing to stabilize. Alderwoman Rohlfs said she was a supporter of saving it, she wants us to get a quote what the actual cost will be, let’s get quotes from several places and compare them we need all the details so it can safely be torn down. Alderman Dewitt stated that no one will do that. Mayor Marcier had asked the council for a little bit of time after he was elected to work on this, he has been working with State Representatives to get assistance, and he applied for a grant that the city did not get. He wants us to investigate a updated demolition price. Alderman Garfield shared that for demolition it is a flat rate, Alderwoman Rohlfs shared that lee Excavating breaks down details. Mayor asked Alderman Garfield to work with Eric Brandt to obtain formal bids, Alderman Garfield said he will do that, and he will talk to Mary personally about getting access to the building. Alderwoman Rohlfs gave an update on the Farmers Market. Alderman Dewitt brought up we have chickens running around, his neighbor has chickens, and he spoke to her about it and she ignored him and went out and bought ducks, Alderman Dewitt asked why we are setting rules if no one is going to follow them, Code is aware of this. Mayor will talk to Eric tomorrow about this, Alderman Dewitt said it’s a waste of time. Alderman Brault mentioned that Saturday the Fire Dept. are doing pork burgers come out and support it and that he would still like to see a hyperlink to the city’s website for our businesses.

A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Miller to adjourn at 7:15pm. Motion passed

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4511