City Council

Watseka City Council Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Mayor Marcier present were Alderman Brault, Muench, Barragree, Miller, Petersen, Pence, & Alderwoman Rohlfs. Absent Alderman Dewitt Public Comment-None A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Brault to Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from April 28th & May 5th, & 19th, 2026. Motion passed 7-0. Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations • Ordinance #2791- An Ordinance 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, Illinois. • Ordinance #2792- Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Commonly Known at 809 West Lafayette St. in the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois • Memorandum of Understanding and License Agreement Between the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois and the Owners of the Watseka Subdivision Located Southeast of Porter Avenue and South 9th Street for the Temporary Maintenance of A Stormwater Detention Pond Consent Agenda • Ordinance #2791— An Ordinance 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, Illinois. • Ordinance #2792- Authorizing the Sale of Real Property Commonly Known at 809 West Lafayette St. in the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois • Memorandum of Understanding and License Agreement Between the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois and the Owners of the Watseka Subdivision Located Southeast of Porter Avenue and South 9th Street for the Temporary Maintenance of A Stormwater Detention Pond A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller to Set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench to Accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0. Standing Committee Reports • Finance, Legal and Audit A Motion was made by Pence, seconded by Rohlfs Claims in the amount of $649,881.85. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench Accept and place on the file the April Treasurers report. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench Approve a Balanced Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Accept the American Tower Contract. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree BT Video $9,179 for the Depot. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree BT Video $3749.75-Install at City Hall. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree Pay Increase for Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief - 7% Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench Deputy Police Chief 1% Longevity Pay Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Barragree Pay Increase for Police Secretary 4%-Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree Pay Increase Public Works Director 4%-retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Rohlfs Pay Increase Public Works Deputy Director 4%-Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Brault voting no. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Pence Pay Increase Building Inspector 4%- Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Rohlfs Pay Increase Code Enforcement 4%- Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree Administrative Assistant 4%-Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Pence Part Time Office Help - 4%--Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Muench Pay Increase for Fire Chief of $2,000/year for 2026-2027-Retro to 5/1/2026. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Brault abstaining. A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Barragree1-Time Stipend for Police Chief of $10,000. Motion passed 7-0. A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Rohlfs 1-Time Stipend for Deputy Police Chief of $5,000. Motion passed 7-0. Public Works/Water Wastewater A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Barragree Peerless Midwest $68,720 for Pilot Plant Study at Well 12 to be paid with ARPA Funds. Motion passed 7-0. Public Safety – A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Rohlfs Accept Police Chief Employment Contract May 2026-April 2029. Motion passed 7-0. Code Enforcement - None Miscellaneous Business Mayor asked Keith with Robinson if he had anything, Keith shared that IPC waited until after the holiday to tear up Oak Street, Alderman Brault shared that the Watseka Fire dept. is hosting a breakfast this Saturday from 6a-11a or until sold out at the fire station. Alderman Miller encouraged the council to walk over and check out the splash pad it looks very complicated, Loren shared it has 30 features on the pad itself, one of the reasons this project was brough in house was due to his deputy chief so he would like to give him kudos this offset the cost pretty significantly by doing the splash pad in house they were able to double the size and features. Mayor Marcier shared a few changes to the pickle ball court, Loren shared they removed access concrete, they poured new concrete all of this was done in house so in 30 days they hope to paint it and have it done before July 4th. Fencing will be complete, hopefully in the next 2 weeks his deputy director has Insite with a company and they are a fraction of the cost. Doing this in house saved a lot of money. Alderman Miller mentioned the color was shown to him and he added some benches or sitting areas would be nice, Loren shared that plan of benches and adult swings so that parents can enjoy the park while the kids do too. Alderwoman Rohlfs asked if the city had any plans for the 250th, Mayor Marcier shared that is an Amanda question, Amanda shared what was planned locally, Alderman Miller added the Lions Club is hosting a breakfast the morning of the 4th also. Mayor Maricer shared he attendee the Run for the Wall today this is the 3rd or 4th year 300 or so motorcycles come to Watseka, the Legion feeds them a nice meal, this year a few grade kids lined 4th street waving flags and saying USA, which was neat, they had very nice police escort. Alderwoman Rohlfs mentioned the Watseka Rocks selling T-shirts for the 250th. A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs to Adjourn at 6:54pm. Motion passed 7-0. Amanda Hibbs, City Clerk