McLean County Times

City of Fairbury City Council met April 6.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

1. Call to order 

2. Roll Call of Council Members 

3. Pledge of Allegiance 

The following items are considered routine business by the City Council and will be approved in a single vote.

4. Consent Agenda 

If discussion is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered under item #8.

A. Minutes from March 16, 2022

B. Voucher Invoice Register listing the bills

C. Treasurer’s Cash Report (second meeting of the month) 

D. Check Register (second meeting of the month)

E. Sidewalk request for 522 S 5th St; 225 sq ft @ $1.75/sq ft = $393.75 

F. Overtime Report

5. Public Comment ⮚

Members of the public are welcome to speak at this time. Please register with the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.

6. Reports of Departments 

Streets & Fire – Martin Steidinger, Superintendent & Chief 

Sewer – Brad Duncan, Superintendent

Water – Mike Mellott, Superintendent

Police – Robert McCormick, Chief

City – Brett Ashburn, Superintendent

Legal – Steven Mann, City Attorney

7. Reports of Aldermen 

Gary Norris –

Steve Endres -

Charles Hoselton –

Jon Kinate –

Bruce Weber –

Jerry Hoffman –

James Tipton -

Bill Schmidgall –

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda A. NONE

9. Old Business – Discussion/Action Items A. NONE

10. New Business – Discussion/Action Items 

For Discussion and possible Action

A. Consideration of a request from the Fairbury Area Chamber of Commerce to close streets for the annual community sale on Saturday, May 7th; 100-200 blk W Locust, 100 blk E Locust, 3rd St north of RR tracks to the alley behind Bank of Pontiac

B. Consideration to approve Motor Fuel work and budget

C. Consideration of pay request #3 (Final) to Iroquois Paving in the amount of $17,762.59 for the 1st through 4th St. sewer project

D. Consideration to approve Fiscal year 2022-2023 Pay Ordinance including contracts for Police Chief and City Superintendent

E. Consideration of green energy program for Ameren electric bills

F. Consideration of a resolution to appoint Cindy Helmers to the Dominy Memorial Library board to fill the vacancy by James Paternoster

G. Consideration of a request to hold a 5k & Fun Run in North Park on Saturday, May 14th @ 9 a.m.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

12. Public Comment 

13. Executive Session 

This section includes items received after the required posting of 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

A. Personnel – Section 2(c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance. (Note: An independent contractor is not an employee).

B. Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation. Probable or imminent litigation requires specific finding to that effect in closed session minutes.

Action from Executive Session:

City of Chenoa City Council met Feb. 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Chenoa City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Wilder, Commissioners Buchanan, Bell, Daiker, Treasurer Rowold, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.

#5356 Commissioners Buchanan and Bell moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 25, 2022 be approved. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.

#5357 Mayor Wilder and Commissioner Buchanan moved and seconded the Motion to approve to appoint Jay Bell as the Water & Sewer Commissioner. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Joey Bell abstaining.

#5358 Commissioners Buchanan and Bell moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.

IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:

Comments from the Floor

Dwayne Price said his wife and himself have stepped down from the Red Carpet Corridor and handed it over to Sarah Michaels. She could not be at the meeting so she asked him to step in to ask for some funds from the City. He said it is a $375 entry fee and a $100 advertisement fee. He has already turned down a $1,000 donation from the Park District because at the time they did not think there would be anyone to run it. He is asking for a $1,000 donation from the City for the Red Carpet Corridor. The council agreed they would look over the allotment amount for them and the other groups that are wanting donation money and have it on the agenda for the next meeting. Dwayne also asked for the streets downtown to be used on May 6th nad 7th for the event. He said they would need barricades, trash cans, and picnic tables. Commissioner Bell said he does not see a problem with providing the barricades for the event.

Mayoral Appointment to replace Water & Sewer Commissioner

Mayor Wilder said he has spoken with three people who had interest in this position since Lee has stepped down. He believes in the best interest of the City they need someone that knows that department inside and out. He feels the best person for that is Jay Bell. Jay knows they water mains, shut offs, and fire hydrants. He may not know the new system all that well but has been learning on it along with the employees. The council had no questions or comments.

Attorney's Comments

None

Treasurer’s Comments

None

Commissioner’s Comments

Commissioner Daiker said the 4-H Space Age Pioneers has a vote going on to see if the new park equipment should have pea gravel or mulch around it. They have samples at the pharmacy if anyone is interested in taking a look and putting their vote in. They are wanting to get prices to fund it for the City.

Commissioner Bell said the guys did a great job with snow removal starting at 1:30 am working 12 hour shifts with breaks on Saturday and Sunday. They came back on Monday morning at 6:00 cleaning up the drifting. He did have some complaints about it not being wide enough but he feels that is better than tearing up the grass.

Commissioner Buchanan said he plans to send out a group email soon so the property liability insurance guy can reach out to the council members individually. This is so he can work with each department to be sure we have the correct coverage.

Mayor Wilder said he wants to get started on the budget for next year. He asked Treasurer Rowold to get the council blank paperwork soon so they can get working on the budget. He hopes to have it done and passed at the beginning of April this year.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/2_8_22.pdf

14. Adjournment 

http://ww2.cityoffairbury.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Agenda.pdf