Downtown carnival set for June

Fairbury’s first annual Odd Fellow Summer Kickoff Carnival is expected to happen at Sunken Park this June after a request was approved by members of the Fairbury City Council Wednesday evening.

The area includes the park, Locust from Fourth to Fifth and Fifth Street from the tracks north. Event dates are June 9-15.

“The 9^th and 10^th are basically just setup,” explained Mayor David Slagel.

Slagel noted a couple of businesses he talked to were excited about the carnival and a couple were not, but they were going to try to make it work. This will be the same weekend as Summer Nationals at Fairbury Speedway and Dave’s Pig-Out falls on that Tuesday.

Alderman Jim Tipton said this event and the Fairbury Fair, which is held later in the summer, are kind of similar.

“It’s two different carnivals,” replied Bruce Pride, Fairbury Sewer Superintendent who also is a member of the Odd Fellows.

The first step in the carnival process is for the city to actually approve the event then other items, such as alcohol, would be discussed later.

Alderman Steve Endres made the motion to approve the street closure while Jerry Hoffman seconded. Tipton voted no.

“I’ve got to warm up to it. I’m going to say no,” Tipton said.

Quotes for a Wastewater Department camera van prompted a lengthy discussion among the council, though no action was taken. Sewer Superintendent Pride reported the camera system they have currently breaks down.

“We probably use it more than 50 times a year,” Pride explained.

The camera is lowered into the sewer system to look at things such as integrity of the pipes, according to City Superintendent Brett Ashburn.

“Where is the money going to come to pay for this?” asked City Attorney Matt Schrock. “It’s not in the appropriations ordinance that was passed.”

Alderman Jerry Hoffman suggested tabling the matter so questions could be asked about the system and the financial aspect.

“I think we need more information,” Alderman Bill Schmidgall added.

This was tabled to a future meeting to get more information.

In another matter, Ashburn said Fire Chief Josh Hoselton would like a Feb. 11 committee meeting to be held at the Fire Department to discuss what is going on with the department and a future direction. The meeting is slated to start at 6 p.m.

A hearing is planned prior to the next council meeting for the water plant upgrade, giving the public a chance to attend.

Ashburn also spoke of the need to fill an alternate board member position for VCOM 911 which was held by Randy Vedder who has retired.

“Jim Hargitt is the main member for Fairbury,” Ashburn explained.

Alderman Schmidgall inquired about the position and said he would look into it.

The council approved updating check signers as Christian Edwards, Connie Haas, Dale Diller and Brett Ashburn for the City of Fairbury Police Department restricted funds and unawarded seized funds accounts with Bank of Pontiac. Ashburn was also approved as an authorized signer for Public Water Supply Loan application documents.

The consent agenda was approved, including previous January meeting minutes, voucher invoice register, cash report, check register and overtime report.