Fairgrove council approves police contract, park roof and pump repairs; tables blight ordinance

The Village of Fairgrove council on May 5 approved a set of routine contracts and infrastructure repairs and deferred consideration of a new blight ordinance until its June meeting.

At the start of the 6:30 p.m. meeting, Sebert (chair) led the Pledge and the council completed procedural business, including approval of the agenda. Harrison moved to approve the April 7 minutes with a correction; that motion was recorded as carried with a 3/0/2 tally.

Why it matters: the votes affect core public services and near-term capital spending for a village with limited annual revenues. The meeting approved several spending items that will be paid from operating or project-specific funds, while the tabled ordinance delays a potentially significant change to code enforcement until council members have additional review time.

Key approvals and actions

- Police contract: R. Thomas moved and Spencer seconded a motion to approve the 2025–2026 police contract at the same rate as the prior year. A roll-call vote recorded Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, Sebert; motion carried 4/0/1.

- Park pavilion roof: Harrison moved to contract UHL Construction to replace the park pavilion roof at a cost of $3,600; R. Thomas seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, Sebert (4/0/1).

- Pump-station repair authorization: Following Buildings & Grounds reporting on a failing pump station, R. Thomas moved and Harrison seconded to spend up to $6,000 to replace system boards for a pump station. The board approved the expenditure on a 4/0/1 roll-call vote.

- Fire Department personnel action: After a department report, council voted to table an application by an individual identified as Coleman until the applicant repays an outstanding debt claimed by the department (motion by R. Thomas, 2nd Harrison; carried 4/0/1).

- Village hall refresh and other small capital items: The council authorized a $1,400 council-room refresh and approved payment of a set of vendor invoices (CSI $4,300.95; Spicer $3,495.00; DJ Toilets $1,950.00; Village of Fairgrove Fire Contract $10,000; York $2,847.00) on motions by Harrison, seconded by Spencer; roll-call votes were recorded as Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, Sebert (4/0/1).

- Employee pay and PTO: The council accepted the 2025–2026 DPW pay rates and a 72-hour front-load paid-time-off policy on a motion by Harrison, seconded by Spencer (roll-call Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, Sebert; carried 4/0/1).

- Resolution 2025-005: The council approved Resolution 2025-005 to reallocate street project funds (motion by Harrison, 2nd Spencer; roll-call Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, Sebert; carried 4/0/1).

- Blight ordinance deferred: The council received a new blight ordinance from the village attorney and on a motion by Harrison, seconded by Spencer, tabled the ordinance with instructions to have it ready for a June vote (motion carried 4/0/1).

Public comments and other notes

Audience member Stevens urged the council to avoid hiring a contractor for the park roof who, Stevens said, "does not even follow Village ordinances," and raised separate concerns about Circle Drive and park conditions. During final audience recognition, residents also raised concerns about a village light ordinance, speeding and vehicles driving across grass in the lower park.

The Volunteer Fire Department reported Rescue 11 required repairs during a run and is awaiting an estimate; volunteers said their recent fish fry sold about 1,200–1,300 meals and announced a Mother’s Day flower-basket sale on May 10. The council noted that a generator was returned to the DNR and that the department will use the council room May 10. The council also presented David, owner of the newly purchased Party Store, with a welcome gift.

Financial and scheduling details

Clerk-Treasurer Smith presented the April check registry, which the council approved. The council is attempting to collect a reported outstanding receivable of $3,331. A–F School is recorded as having signed and paid a new rate of $1,331. The council adjourned at 8:13 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for June 2, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

What remains unresolved

The council voted to table the blight ordinance until June; the applicant to the Fire Department (Coleman) was tabled pending repayment of a debt the department asserted. Circle Drive concerns and several infrastructure repair items (Shreeves Road pump, downtown tree replacements) remain under review.

Ending: The meeting included routine approvals of contracts and small capital projects while deferring code changes that may affect property maintenance enforcement. The council will revisit the blight ordinance and several infrastructure items at upcoming meetings.