The demolition process has started at the old Fairbury Hospital building.
This news came during Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Fairbury City Council. Asbestos is being removed and Lee Excavating will take the building down. City Superintendent Brett Ashburn said a non-profit is interested in acquiring the land.
Mayor David Slagel noted there is a possibility the city will be asked to be part of re-purchasing the ground, probably for the development of lots for houses.
It is not known how many lots could be involved and part of it could even be a park.
The area is zoned R2 residential currently so the area must be housing. A variance was previously granted for the businesses on the property, which is owned by the Bachtold family.
“So, a developer could step in?” asked Alderman Bill Schmidgall.
“It’s still their property,” replied Slagel.
Slagel said he is glad something is happening with the property and the council seemed to agree.
Fairbury Hospital has been closed for many years and the building's future has been a topic of discussion in town since. A nearby office and old SELCAS building are expected to remain.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Mark Lawrence appeared before the council on behalf of his mother, Betty, who lives on west Elm Street. She had a tree fall close to the alley with some of it on city property and most of it on hers. The city crew already cut part of the tree which was on the road.
“We’re just asking if the council can do anything for us or not,” explained Lawrence.
Superintendent Ashburn indicated 90 percent of the tree was on the private property with 10 percent on the city’s. Typically, the city does not do anything if less than 50 percent of it is on city property.
Alderman Charles Hoselton feels the city would open a “can of worms” if they help with the tree. Mayor Slagel said there would need to be clear justification for why the city does it for the Lawrences and not the next person who walks in the door.
“This is already uprooted and it’s all on her side,” said City Attorney Steven Mann.
No action was taken on the matter and the council moved on from the discussion.
Police Chief Robert McCormick reported the 2021 Explorer vehicle hit a deer Saturday morning but had minimal damage. They are getting repair bids for that and the new Durango was delivered to Gibson City recently.
Following police testing, the department found a recruit and entered him in the academy which starts May 2. The recruit is from Coal City and is a security officer at Joliet Junior College.
Alderman James Tipton asked for an update on improving cellular service during the summer Prairie Dirt Classic race at Fairbury Speedway. Ashburn indicated it is cheaper to put up a new tower than upgrade the current one, according to Verizon.
“There are so many people they suck it dry,” said Alderman Bruce Weber, referring to cell service that summer weekend.
Mobile trucks can be brought in for big events, but that is usually up to the venue owner.
Ashburn said fiber has been updated at the track which could help this year and Verizon is interested in putting up a tower on private property.
“They’re aware,” concluded Ashburn.
“It’s bad for the people in Fairbury that only have cell phones now,” added Hoselton.
An intergovernmental agreement between the city and Dominy Memorial Library was approved. This clarifies who is responsible for what and insulates liability between the two entities which the city attorney considers a good thing. The city switching over to in-house payroll got the ball rolling.
A landscaping proposal for City Hall and around the swimming pool prompted a detailed discussion on whether this needs to be done or the focus needs to be on other pool issues. The proposal called for adding bushes along First Street to allow more privacy between the pool and the road.
“That building needs more things done than landscaping,” stated Hoselton.
Alderman Gary Norris described railings with chipped paint near the sun deck which causes kids to cut their hands and problems with the showers. Slagel advised the council they will be seeing several issues at the pool which need to be addressed at future meetings.
The group decided to only do the landscaping work at City Hall for now, at a price of $5,939.
“I don’t know if we need this full-blown thing for City Hall,” said Tipton.
Hoselton suggested letting everybody bid on every project so the city doesn’t receive grief from the public on using one company. Ashburn said they spread around the project work.
Street closings were authorized downtown for the May 6 Fairbury Community Sale for the Chamber of Commerce. Barricades will be up around 6 a.m. and the street will open as the sale progresses. Other closings were approved for an upcoming Relay for Life Tractor Drive on Locust, between Fourth and Fifth streets.
The council was reminded of this Saturday’s annual SELCAS pancake and sausage breakfast fundraiser at the Indian Creek Country Club from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is dine-in or carryout. SELCAS provided the council with annual reports as there was no annual meeting this year.
In other action Wednesday night, the council:
-Approved a $750 donation to Showbus.
-Paid annual membership dues to the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council in the amount of $7,916.
-Scheduled a committee meeting for April 12 starting at 6 p.m. to discuss employee and preliminary budget reviews.
-Authorized the consent agenda which included March 15 meeting minutes, voucher invoice register and overtime report.
I worked there in the 80s. I worked Med Surg , ER. Intensive care. Omg worked all the units. The Amish had the best Cafeteria ! Their bread pudding was awesome. Wow . So many good memories with other nurses and doctors. Loved it here. Love to all. Diane Jacobson ( Ward)