The Fairbury City Council has approved reducing liquor license fees in an effort to help restaurants and bars which were forced to shut down earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We were asked by one of the businesses to talk about it,” said Fairbury Mayor David Slagel.
There are 12 licenses in town and not everyone was impacted since some businesses selling liquor remained open. The fairgrounds and Indian Creek Country Club are not controlled by the city since they are not within the city limits.
“I don’t think we can just pick and choose because they’re all the same license,” added Slagel.
Alderman Bruce Weber made the motion to cut all liquor license fees in half for the fiscal year and it was approved.
During the council comments at Wednesday's regular meeting, Alderman Jon Kinate said city crews did a “heck of a job” cleaning up storm debris from Saturday night and Steve Endres shared a complaint he received about cars and pickup trucks speeding down First Street. This was observed near the Weber Apartments at First and Maple.
Alderman Weber received a call from someone on Timber Ridge complaining there was not enough chipping on the road. The Street Department went out and took care of the situation.
“They got right on it and got it taken care of,” he said.
It was also reported things have been going well at the swimming pool with the numbers increasing and a busy July 4 holiday weekend.
“It’s been going well,” noted City Clerk Nancy Widlacki.
There was an incident at the pool where a 31-year-old man reportedly broke an ankle. The city’s insurance carrier has been contacted, according to Alderman Gary Norris.
In other matters, the Fairbury City Council:
-Approved the 2020-21 annual appropriation bill ordinance.
-Authorized pay request 25 for the sewer plant in the amount of $389,619.80.
-Voted to approve the consent agenda, which included July 1 minutes, voucher invoice register listing the bills, treasurer’s cash report, check register and overtime report.
