Doug Aaron appeared before members of the Fairbury City Council Wednesday evening discussing the upcoming Prairie Dirt Classic Cruise-In planned for July 31.
The event from Midwest Street Machines is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day but will be moved back to the evening if it rains. The group would like Third through Fifth streets blocked off downtown along with side streets. Also, Aaron would like to keep golf carts off the street.
“It is a safety hazard,” he said.
Midwest Street Machines has a number of members from northern Illinois and Indiana, potentially bringing many more people to town that weekend.
“I think it’d be another group that could be here on our big day,” Aaron added.
No action was taken on the street closure but it will be added to the agenda at the next City Council meeting.
In other business, the group decided against approving a new truck bid for the sewer plant as no motion was made. Sewer Superintendent Brad Duncan reported the city’s 2008 Ranger has 56,000 miles and is starting to have mechanical issues. Alderman Charles Hoselton said he did not see the need for a new truck while Jon Kinate suggested taking the current truck to K&S to have them look it over.
A proposal from Elite Outdoors was approved for the yearly maintenance program covering flower boxes on Locust Street. This involves the annual rotation and maintenance of the planters.
The council discussed, but did not act on, the possibility of an automated garbage truck and cans. No workers would be needed on the back of the truck, so money could be saved there but concerns were expressed over the potential cost of something like this.
Alderman Bruce Weber feels everyone will need to tighten their belts even further moving forward and businesses are in the same boat as they don’t have items to sell – which impacts tax money coming into the city.
“It’s getting worse. It’s not getting better,” Weber observed.
Street Superintendent Martin Steidinger reminded everyone this was strictly for informational purposes at this time and there is a possibility the city could by a used truck.
During council comments, Alderman Steve Endres thanked local resident Dale Maley for repairing the enclosed pavilion screens at Marsh Park which were damaged. Endres continues to express concerns over vandalism in the park.
“We’ve got to do something,” he said.
City Superintendent Brett Ashburn noted the city will be going out to bid soon for the First to Fourth Street sewer project which will alleviate the sewer going under Dave’s Supermarket. Steidinger reported the swimming pool is up and running and looks good. Also, the work around Walton Centre is expected to be done by the end of the week.
The consent agenda was approved, which included May 5 meeting minutes, voucher invoice register listing the bills, treasurer’s cash report and overtime report.
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