MENDOTA – A city of Mendota tradition for more than 70 years will not be the same this year, according to a statement by Mayor David Boelk during a Mendota City Council meeting held via teleconference on May 21.

Mayor Boelk said that although the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is holding off until July to make a final decision, this year’s Mendota Sweet Corn Festival “will not take place as we know it.” Boelk said there has been discussion about holding virtual events for the festival, but there is nothing definitive at this time.

Boelk also spoke about the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration. The event originally scheduled for Saturday, June 27 will not take place on that date. The Chamber has tentatively scheduled the celebration to be held on Saturday, July 11 if more restrictions are lifted by the state of Illinois in wake of the pandemic crisis.

In other news from the mayor, he said the city’s street program has begun. All of the alleys have been completed and the designated streets have been ground off and are ready for blacktopping, which he said could be completed this week. Boelk said the focus will then be on the Illinois Avenue project.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Kyle Kim presented the Police Patrol Officers’ contract for the council’s consideration. The council approved the contract, which will run from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2024.

During John Holland’s report, the council approved a resolution of support for The Head Hunter Salon & Day Spa for Community Development Block Grant funding through the Downstate Small Business Stabilization program.