Streator council votes to install outdoor seasonal lighting in City Park

The Streator City Council voted unanimously to award a contract to install outdoor seasonal lighting on the southwest quadrant of City Park.

The $24,692.40 will be appropriated by the Streator Tourism Committee during its Wednesday meeting.

“It’s a pilot program where you put up-lighting and down-lighting in trees,” said Streator Councilman Ed Brozak of the work contracted to Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Greenwood, Ind. “You can see things like this at arboretums all over the Midwest, and we thought we would try something like that and see how it goes on a small scale. We are also coordinating with the Christmas lighting committee so that they know what we are doing.

“The lights will be able to be programmed, such as instead of all white lights or green lights, we will be able to – through an app – change the lighting to colors that go along with the holidays.”

In another item, the council voted unanimously to OK a recommendation by the planning commission to amend the zoning code to allow motor vehicle painting and body work businesses in the downtown, as well as the sale of surplus property of a vacant lot at 310 S. Third Ave.

The council also authorized and approved the levy of an additional tax of .02% on real property within the city for fiscal 2021 to fund the alteration, repair and maintenance of library buildings.

The library board has asked annually for this request.

“I have heard that some residents think we are raising property taxes,” Streator Councilwoman Tara Bedei said. “But I would like to clarify that this is something we have done every October. It is not a new tax, it’s been continuous year-to-year, and it goes toward the upkeep of the library.”

Additionally, the council authorized the purchase of equipment for the Streator Fire Department from a $13,470 Homeland Assistance Firefighters Grant.

“This is the final piece of the 2018 grant from AFG and is going to used to purchase a new respirator fit test machine so we can annually test our face pieces to make sure we have a good seal so no contaminates are getting in,” said Streator Fire Chief Gary Bird.

In other items, the council:

• Voted, 5-0, to deny a resolution of a variance from the provisions in the city’s zoning code concerning garages and accessory building setback requirements that would allow construction of a structure that would straddle the property line at 1416 and 1418 E. Main Street.

• Reminded residents of the food trucks that will be in the City Park beginning Thursday through Sunday starting at noon each day, which will include Portillo’s Beef Bus all four days, Auntie Ann’s Pretzels on Thursday, Cruisin’ Concessions and the Olive Branch on Friday, the Olive Branch on Saturday and Cruisin’ Concessions on Sunday. Bedei also said the city is working on a restaurant guide on its website.

• Noted there will be a disc golf tournament, with 96 participants this Saturday at Marilla Park.