The Fairfield City Council met in regular session last (Tuesday) night. The council approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the payment of bills. Under Routine Business, Janice Crow Region Council Manager from Region 20 Birth to Five Illinois presented their work covering nine counties in Southern Illinois including Wayne County. She explained their efforts to develop centralized resources for early childhood education programs through QR code postcards and the sifamilies.org website. Crow detailed their work on increasing usage of the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) and addressing mental health resources.
The council discussed and approved an agreement with Lewis Scrap Metal, LLC regarding the demolition of the old power plant. Mayor Gary Moore explained this would be a cost-effective solution compared to the previous $200,000 bid for demolition as the city and Lewis Scrap Metal worked out a deal that is a win-win situation for those involved. Moore says the old generators and a lot of other things inside the building have some scrap value. Mayor Moore says work to demolish the building should start at the end of the week or the first part of next week.
A new phone system from Midwest Telecom Communications was approved by the council. Mayor Moore says the telephones at city hall, fire department and city garage directly north of the fire department will be replaced. A new phone will be installed at the police department as well which can be answered by the police department in case the fire department is out on a call. The city will do a lease agreement for 48 months for a total cost at the end of the lease around $22,000.
Mayor Moore brought up for discussion on the possibility on moving to one council meeting a month. The meeting would be held the second Tuesday of the month. The council was in support of one meeting a month. Moore instructed City Attorney, Darrin Rice to draw up a resolution that the city council meeting will be moved to once a month on the second Tuesday of each month.
Moore says this Thursday and Friday from the hours of 8am to 4pm, the Fairfield Police Department is going to host training exercises in training facilities at the old Midwest Food Bank building. The building is still used for food distribution, but Fairfield Assistant Police Chief, Ben Lewis has converted part of the warehouse into a high tech training area. Lewis says numerous departments from Southern Illinois will be here training for two days. Residents should be aware that training exercise activities will also take place outside of the building and around the softball fields at Southwest Park and will notice alot of noise and officers on foot, so not to be alarmed if you live in this area of Leininger Rd. Police will be closing off Southwest 10th St. just past the new dance studio driveway. Lewis indicated this training benefits local restaurants as many police departments here for the training will eat and spend their breaks in our local restaurants.
A couple of alderman brought up some roads conditions in the city that need to be addressed. Mayor Moore stated he would have those areas looked at and inspected for possible repairs.
A motion was made by Mayor Moore to go into executive session with no action taken following the session.
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