Employee response praised after rain

The handling of recent heavy rainfall drew praises from the Fairbury city superintendent at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.

Brett Ashburn commended the city’s wastewater department after more than three inches of rain fell over a couple of days. Ashburn noted the staff was able to keep up with everything.

“I’d like to thank them for their hard work,” he said.

Unless there are flooded basements or other sewer issues, individuals don’t often realize what the wastewater employees do, according to Ashburn.

Also during his update to the council, Ashburn reported on a recent training exercise he attended in Bloomington on what to do if a pipeline disaster occurs. He said this showed him that Deb Moran is doing a good job leading ESDA programs and exercises in Fairbury and this would come to show if anything would happen.

“Fairbury is on the right path,” Ashburn noted.

During the police report, Chief Mark Travis faced a few questions pertaining to overtime. He explained this was due to state-mandated training and the recent President’s Day holiday.

“We’re always going to have overtime,” Travis said.

Travis also updated aldermen on the recent ALICE active shooter training which took place at the elementary school. When a discussion takes place in April, those involved will be more familiar with the idea.

“That went well,” the chief stated.

Street Superintendent Martin Steidinger reported work is almost done at the Boys and Girls Club. Crews went ahead and worked on the office ceiling as well. They also changed the heat, which Steidinger said made a difference in the building. After a door is hung, the work should be complete.

Steidinger also noted the truck which is being converted into a dump truck had an oil leak and seeping was observed from a head gasket. The city staff has fixed a few of the leaks but the truck will need to be taken somewhere for repairs. Once the work is done, Steidinger expects the truck to run for a long time.

“I think it will still be a good truck.”

The group appointed Rebekah Fehr to the Planning Commission at the request of commission chairman Rick Wilson. Fehr replaces Mark Trainor who has accepted a new job that will keep him out of the city.

Alderman Lynn Dameron served as mayor pro-tem and led the council meeting in David Slagel’s absence.

In other business, the Fairbury City Council:

-Renewed the policy for cyber security insurance.

-Received an update on the annual SECLAS information meeting planned for Monday, Mar. 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.

-Approved the consent agenda.