Public Safety Committee Meeting

City of Watseka 201 Brianna Dr PO Box 338 Watseka Il 60970 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 12TH, 2026 6:30 PM PRESENT: Aldermen Muench, Dewitt, Barragree, Pence, Petersen, Miller, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier ABSENT: Alderman Brault GUESTS: Fireman Duane Brose and Police Chief Eric Starkey Alderman Muench opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Duane Brose with the Fire department stated the department had 2 fires, 5 First Responder calls, 33 ambulance calls, 5 MVA’s, 3 automatic alarms, 1 mutual aid call, and 22 other miscellaneous calls for the month of April. Training for April was hose line advancement, search and rescue, ladder and drafting master stream devices. A new radio was installed in the brush truck. The department participated in the WCHS prom crash, career day at Donovan and Glenn Raymond. Fireman Brose reminded to call for smoke detectors if you need one. Police Chief Eric Starkey said his department had 296 calls for service and 16 book in’s for a total of $416.00. Chief stated he had 3 new lateral applications and one more to be turned in on Friday. The police commission will conduct interviews by the end of May. Chief is hoping to add a 10th officer. Officer Corriveau will be gone for a month to the National Guard so the department will be working 12-hour shifts again. The new security trailer has arrived and was set up here a city hall and now is at Runnings parking lot. Chief reminded everyone that the trailer was funded by private donations, and $10,000 from the Miner Charitable Trust, and some from the Forfeiture account. Chief stated his budget for his first year came in under budget. He thanked his officers for all they have done in the last year, and he believes his department is heading in a positive direction. Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 6:40 pm and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. ______________________________ Scott Muench, Chairman