The Fairfield City Council met in regular session Tuesday night at City Hall, approving minutes from the August 12th meeting and the payment of bills.
During public comments, Brandon Cline petitioned for disconnection of his property at 1233 South First Street, citing that it receives no city services and neighboring parcels are already outside city limits. His request was later denied, with only Alderman Cheryl Eckleberry voting in favor. Another citizen, Carla Pearce, voiced concerns about lack of enforcement of city ordinances related to property maintenance and beautification.
Michelle Smith of Kemper CPA presented the city’s audit report, issuing an unmodified opinion. She noted minor concerns, including lack of password change policies, inconsistent utility shutoff practices, and a pension reporting discrepancy. Smith reported the city’s cash position rose by $1.2 million, while restricted cash fell by $6.5 million due to bond retirement. She praised city staff—particularly Kayla Warren—for their cooperation and said expenses remained consistent with the prior year.
The council approved vacating a small 15-foot gas utility easement in the Fairfield Industrial Park to make way for Frontier Community College’s new gymnasium. Mayor Gary Moore and city worker, DuWayne Nobles said they had worked with engineers to confirm utility locations.
Three street closures were approved—for the Christmas parade on December 6th, the Elks Club’s Fall Fun Fest Cornhole Tournament, and a pickleball tournament at Lakeside Park. The council also approved a $15,000 revolving loan to Christina Copeland and McKenzie Stewart for Grace and Bloom, a new gift shop that will open on Commerce Drive in the same building as Copeland’s Country Financial Insurance Agency.
Trick-or-treat dates were set for October 30th and 31st from 5 to 8 p.m. Recreational fund expenditures totaling $6,500 were approved for community events, including $4,000 for trunk-or-treat, $1,500 for the Christmas parade, and $1,000 for the retail merchants’ holiday open house.
The council declared the property at #3 Hill Drive a dangerous building. Public Safety Officer Keith Colclasure reported the home is abandoned, overgrown, inaccessible at the front, and has a collapsed roof. Attempts to contact the owner, who lives in Wayne City, have gone unanswered.
Mayor Moore updated the council on serious complications with the city’s power plant cleanup. The city’s insurer, IML, has denied coverage for environmental damages, citing an “environmental exclusion.” Cleanup costs have already reached $635,000, with asbestos removal expected to add at least $100,000. The Illinois EPA is now involved, with soil testing and mitigation likely required. The council voted to seek bids for new liability insurance, to be reviewed in November.
The city’s August financial report showed expenses of $1,974,584 against revenues of $1,826,802, for a net loss of $147,782. Year-to-date, the city is $232,130 in the red, with a general fund balance of $2,242,673 and a CD of $1,103,561.
Other business included updates on the Lakeside watershed project, approval of a hazardous mitigation plan, notice of a Norfolk Southern railroad crossing closure on South First Street from September 29th through October 3rd, and a reminder that Frontier Community College will hold its gymnasium groundbreaking September 16th.
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