Finance Legal and Audit Committee Meeting

City of Watseka 201 Brianna Dr PO Box 338 Watseka Il 60970 FINANCE, LEGAL & AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 21, 2026 6:30 PM PRESENT: Aldermen Dewitt, Miller, Petersen, Pence, Brault, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier ABSENT: Alderman Muench GUESTS: Deanna Kraay with Conxxus, Business Owner Cory Kline Mayor Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. Deanna Kraay with Conxxus spoke first. She was back to ask for some sort of reduction in the solicitors’ permit fees for her company. She stated conxxus has invested 2 million in the city and they do numerous sponsorships in the city for different organizations. They spend annually about $2800 in door-to-door fees here in the city. She stated the fee that the city charges is comparable to other communities in the area. They have asked other communities for the same reduction in the fees, and some have reduced the cost and others have not. Alderman Pence would like to look over the current ordinance before he can make a decision. It was stated if the city does this for Conxxus the solar and energy companies will be next asking for a reduction in fees. It was also discussed the damage that the boring company that was hired by Conxxus has done in the city. They have bored through water lines and sewer lines and have not restored the landscaping like it was before they started. There are still issues yet today with all of this. After some discussion this will be added to full council next week. Alderwoman Rohlfs makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the March treasurers report and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 6-0. Mayor Marcier stated the park fund is still in the negative because of the OSLAD grant. During public comment Cory Kline spoke again about his property at 108 N 4th that had a water main break in January and flooded his basement and came out the windows and doors. He is looking for any help the city can give him. He has received a 2nd denial letter from the city’s insurance company. He also thinks there is a possible sewer leak at his property. Alderman Miller asked if he contacted his insurance company and he stated yes he did and he was denied from his insurance also. Mayor Marcier stated everyone has before the a copy of the engagement letter from CliftonLarsonAllen for the upcoming fiscal year audit for $48,400. Alderwoman Rohlfs makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the engagement letter from CliftonLarsonAllen and Alderman Pence seconded. Roll call carried 6-0. Alderman Petersen arrives at 6:49pm Mayor Marcier stated everyone has a copy of the proposed American Tower contract. Currently the rent is $913/month with a 15% increase every 5 years. This is also a revenue share of $750/ month. The next increase is due October 1, 2026. American Tower is offering to the city a one-time payment of $20,000 and a 10-year rent guarantee. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the proposal from American Tower for a $20,000 one-time payment and a 10-year rent guarantee. Alderman Dewitt seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Mayor Marcier stated he has had numerous meetings with the county regarding the 911 dispatch fees and this is still a work in progress with more information to come next month. Knights of Columbus donation was discussed next. They are asking for $12,000 this year because it’s the 250th anniversary. There was a lengthy discussion and Alderman Dewitt make a motion to donate $20,000 but the motion failed for a lack of a 2nd. Alderwoman Rohlfs makes a motion to donate $15,000 and Alderman Petersen seconded. Roll call carried 5-1 with Alderman Dewitt voting no and Alderman Miller abstaining. The committee has before them the demolition bids for phase XXI for the DNR grant for 607 N Market and 509 E Oak St. Alderman Pence makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the aggregate bid of $23,900 from Lee Farms for( 607 N Market $12,300 and 509 E Oak $11,600) Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Camera quotes were discussed for the impound lot and the depot. Impound lot from BT Video for $3944 and Ruder for $4269 + $356.24 for annual cloud storage. There was discussion about accepting the lower bid w/no cloud storage from BT Video. Chief Starkey stated he would like to have some cloud storage because the cars in the impound lot are not the cities. The BT cameras has a motion sensor that will alert the police department’s phones. Alderman Petersen makes a motion to accept the proposal from BT Video for $3944 for the impound lot and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. The proposals for the cameras at the depot from BT Video was $8850 and Ruder was $9269.00. Mayor Marcier stated the city will not be doing key cards, they have just changed the locks for now. It was discussed to just stay with BT Video for these cameras also. Alderman Petersen makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the BT Video proposal of $8850 and Alderman Pence seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Discussion was had about the upcoming water/sewer rate increases. Mayor Marcier would like to not increase rates at this time because a lot of the upgrades the city is doing is being done in house therefore saving the city money. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor stated that he doesn’t have his budget done yet and can this be discussed more at full council as he will have it done by then. The committee is ok with this. Mayor Marcier stated the per our accountants a loan needs to be done between funds so that the park fund doesn’t have a negative balance at year end. Alderman Dewitt makes a motion to recommend to the council to make a loan from the general fund of $270,000 into the park fund to cover the OSLAD Grante expenses. Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. This loan will be repaid once the OSLAD grant funds come in. Several transfers need to be made: Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $15,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into police pension 40-10- 5001 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Dewitt makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $122,000 from liquor tax 1-10-8025 into the police pension 40-10-5010 Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $122,000 from liquor tax 1-10-2025 into promotions 1-10-1049 Alderman Brault seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderwoman Rohlfs makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $200,000 from gaming 1-10-8020 into police pension 40-10-5005 and Alderman Brault seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $100,000 from 1-10-1000 into demolition 1-10-1047 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $200,000 from general fund 1-10-1000 into capital purchase 1-10-1045 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $75,000 from general fund 1-10-8000 into the revolving loan 45-10-5000 and Alderman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $35,000 from general fund 1-10-1000 into the façade grant 1-10-1075 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Miller asked about the OSLAD grant funds and it was stated its still a work in progress and the quartly reports have all been turned in. Alderman Brault makes a motion to adjourn at 7:26 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. ___________________________________ Benny Marcier, Mayor