City Of Fairbury To Build Impound Lot

By Gordon Hopkins The City of Fairbury has decided to create an impound lot to store towed vehicles.Currently, the city uses two companies for towing nuisance vehicles, illegally parked vehicles and emergency snow route violators. According to a memorandum from Code Enforcement Officer Dan Lufkin, “One company is outside city limits, has limited storage, which creates an overflow of unclaimed vehicles and personal vehicles onto the street creating a larger nuisance, that does not present an appealing entrance to the City of Fairbury. The other has limited room for vehicle storage and with an overabundance of towed vehicles. Both properties become an object of complaints from citizens.”The proposed impound lot will be located at 301 Fredrick Street in Fairbury. Lufkin presented his case for the impound lot to the Public Works Committee on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, “Basically, I just wanted to start the impound lot not to take any money from the other tow companies. Its basically to help to keep their lots from looking like a nuisance. There has been complaints on both of them, basically.”“So I’ve talked to Mitch (Heidemann) over at M&D (Auto Service). He’s totally cool with it. So, basically, we’ll have them tow cars to our tow lot. He’ll bill us for the tow fees. The owner of the vehicle will then pay us for the tow and any storage fees,” said Lufkin. “We usually hold the cars for 30 days.”The proposal also includes cameras and security lights to be installed for the impound lot and recycling center. The cost for three cameras is estimated to be $258. Mesh will be installed on the east side chain link to help hide a ‘junk’ look. The mesh is expected to cost $247.96.Unclaimed vehicles will have a new title made in the city’s name and will be retained, sold for salvage, or sold at an auction. Towing fees to be paid to towing company by the city and reclaimed from owner upon retrieval. Storage fees will be $25 a day and will be paid to the city. Vehicles can be claimed only during business hours unless previous arrangements are made in advance. Garage Keepers Insurance for impounding is already part of the city’s coverage and has been verified by the insurance company.The proposal also states the new impound lot will be used for city purposes only and not for any law enforcement unless approved by administration prior to any use.Not everyone was on board with the proposal. Board member Bradley Kuzelka, who is also chair of the City Council and works for M&D Auto, said, “I’m just not too excited about it, but I just don’t think that we should be getting into the private like that.”“I talked to Mitch about it, and he said, well, it doesn’t pay enough. Well, if it’s such a big deal that we need to do this, then it should pay more so guys can afford to do what the city’s gonna do,” said Kuzelka, who made clear his concern i what may com snext. “Pretty soon the city will have its own tow truck. And then, you know, this is how this goes. I just, I don’t like expanding government in any way, shape or form.”Later that evening, the Fairbury City Council met and Kuzelka reiterated his opposition. The council voted to go forward with the proposed impound lot, with Kuzelka’s being the lone “no” vote.

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