Two other public hearings were conducted before the start of the regular Fairbury City Council meeting Wednesday evening.
The first hearing explained the planned appropriations for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Per Illinois law, the appropriation plan must include the operating budget plus contingencies and potential future capital investments.
A new capital investment item in the appropriation plan is $6.5 million to upgrade and automate the water treatment plant in future years. The total appropriation plan is $14,764,870.
The second public hearing was a liquor license application for a new restaurant named El Jarocho Bar & Grill at 101 West Locust Street. The Burgers and Beer restaurant was formerly operated at this location.
Three representatives of the new restaurant attended the public hearing, and an overview of the business was given. The family-owned company opened its first restaurant in Tuscola ten years ago. The new Fairbury restaurant will be the fifth owned by the family business.
The new restaurant will be open seven days a week and will take carry-out orders. It will also offer lunch and supper. The owners are targeting opening the new Fairbury restaurant during the Fairbury Fair.
The restaurant representative was asked how the business would differ from the existing Dos Fuentes restaurant in Fairbury. The representative said the new restaurant will offer Mexican burgers and more seafood choices.
City Attorney Schrock noted that the application paperwork must be changed before it can be approved. The business name must be listed on the application instead of an individual person. The restaurant representative said they would comply with this request.
Before the start of the regular meeting, Mayor David Slagel recounted that Alderman Charles Hoselton Sr. passed away on July 15, 2024. Slagel praised the public service of Hoselton, a long-time member of the Fairbury Fire Department and City Council. A moment of silence was observed in his memory.
Street Superintendent Lonnie Rhoads reported the city crew had completed the first round of picking up tree branches from the recent windstorm. His crew will be making a second round of clean-up next.
Police Chief Robert McCormick said three new officers on the Fairbury police force are in various stages of completing their training.
Alderman Gary Norris noted Marsh Park looks very nice and thanked Dale Maley for recently painting the playground equipment and buildings.
Aldermen voted to approve the appropriation plan for 2024-2025, which was reviewed before the regular meeting.
The Council also approved the liquor license request for El Jarocho Bar & Grill at 101 West Locust Street, stipulating that the wording on the application would be corrected per City Attorney Schrock's instructions.
Other business approved by the Council included repairing the Locust Street sidewalk, appointing a new Fire Department clerk, and refurbishing the waste treatment plant's lab room.
The Council also approved a new one-year electrical power agreement to replace the expiring three-year contract.
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