Three new police officers were officially sworn-in during Wednesday night’s regular meeting of the Fairbury City Council.
Fairbury Police Chief Robert McCormick administered the oath to Jason Keeling, Carter Meister and Alex Lorsbach. McCormick reminded the officers to maintain “courageous calm” in the face of danger and to enforce the law favorably and courteously.
He then presented the officers with a challenge coin to prove membership in an organization and to enhance morale. The front of the coin includes the Fairbury Police Department patch with the blue line symbol. The reverse side features a family crest.
“This represents the officer being an officer with the Fairbury Police Department and the law enforcement community as a whole,” said McCormick.
McCormick told the newest members of the department that they are now held to a higher standard.
Also during the regular council meeting, Sewer Superintendent Brad Duncan reported the new GIS system is up and running with all of the maps transferred over.
“It’s going well,” he said.
Chief McCormick informed the council the training with SELCAS has been completed and City Superintendent Brett Ashburn said the city has received the 35-gallon trash carts.
Local resident Pam Price raised questions over ATV’s in town asking if they are allowed on city streets.
“They’re technically not allowed,” stated Mayor David Slagel.
Any concerns would need to be addressed with the police department, according to Slagel.
“We need to be notified when it’s occurring,” suggested McCormick.
Alderman Bill Schmidgall complimented the new sensors installed at the First Street stoplight along U.S. Route 24, saying they work well as there is little waiting at the intersection.
“It does work better than what we had before,” observed Schmidgall.
Santos Mendoza, owner of George’s Dawghouse, LLC, was granted permission to operate his hot dog cart at 122 W. Locust Street on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with service hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is during an open house for Brand’s Martial Arts.
“We’ll serve toward the sidewalk, not out in the street,” explained Mendoza.
Council members authorized using the general fund to administer payments of police invoices for vehicle repairs and replacements.
The purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango from Petersen’s was approved for the police department at a price of $46,110. This replaces the department’s 2017 Ford Explorer. The biggest equipment expense involves the camera system. DUI funds could be used to cover the camera.
McCormick is unsure of the timeline to receive the new vehicle, as it had to be ordered and model years are being switched over. Alderman Jon Kinate made the motion to approve the Durango purchase.
Amendments were made to Chapter 6 of the municipal code book. This adds that additional trash carts can be requested and a smaller cart can be exchanged with a larger cart.
Aldermen allowed Street Superintendent Martin Steidinger to purchase a used dump truck for his department, not to exceed $20,000. Steidinger looked at a few different options and seemed to like a 2000 truck which is in nice shape but the box is not. Steidinger does have a box which could be swapped out.
“I would like to talk to the guy,” stated Steidinger.
The truck comes with a salt spreader that has been used for less than one season.
The 2021-2022 city audit was approved as presented by MCK CPAs & Advisors and the council approved the consent agenda, including previous minutes, check register and treasurer’s cash report.
