City Council approves resurfacing project, health plan

A price quote from All Weather Courts to resurface the basketball court at North Park was approved by members of the Fairbury City Council at it's meeting Wednesday evening.

The council initially approved a quote last spring but the previous company never got to the project.

"Joe Costa reached out to this company," explained City Superintendent Brett Ashburn. "They've done some (work in) surrounding areas."

This option approved by the council includes additional crack filling on the court and the group authorized up to $15,000. Prairielands Foundation is redoing the pickle ball and tennis courts at the park.

"If we are going to do it, we may as well do it right," said Ashburn.

Also at Wednesday's meeting, the council renewed city health insurance for 2022, which will see a 2.3 percent increase but is the same plan as the past year.

"They gave us a premium flat credit and everything stays the same," explained Mayor David Slagel.

On the subject of health insurance, the council discussed options for disbursing remaining health insurance funds that were being held in a separate account and used for contributing to employee Health Savings Accounts. Mayor Slagel said this money was from the General Fund to keep premiums lower. Alderman Charles Hoselton said he feels the money belongs to employees and should go to them.

City Treasurer Dale Diller reported the account has nearly $21,000. If the funds were disbursed to employees, that amounts to around $800 per person. Council members tabled the decision.

Ashburn updated the council on the parking lot project behind Old City Hall, which has been finished and the mailbox is back up near the Post Office. That's the good news. The bad news is that a truck and trailer damaged nearby murals recently, he said.

"We found out who did it," said Street Superintendent Martin Steidinger. "I'll get the quote."

Steidinger plans to pull the posts and take the murals down to the city shed for winter storage as local volunteer Dale Maley plans to put them together again next spring.

Police Chief Robert McCormick reported the impound lot at the sewer plant is up and running. He said the new squad cars are waiting on equipment installations, including camera systems. McCormick has a new full-time hire who is certified and is looking at a part-time employee who was a former deputy.

Aldermen approved an ordinance annexing property into the city in the 800 block of West Walnut Street for auto salvage use. According to Ashburn, the city revamped the industrial code to make something like this fit.

Steidinger spoke of the sudden loss of a longtime employee who was with the city for 361/2 years. This was a full-time position someone will need to fill. Water Superintendent Mike Mellott said the condition of the water tower looks good after a recent inspection and does not need to be cleaned.

In other action, the Fairbury City Council:

Granted a request from the Fairbury Area Chamber of Commerce to block Locust Street between Second and Fourth streets on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the annual Christmas Parade.

Approved an ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2022.

Authorized a resolution to abate fire bonds.

Reappointed Sam Pica to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a five-year term.

Approved the consent agenda, which included Nov. 3 meeting minutes, treasurer's cash report, check register and overtime report.