South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met Feb. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Roll call was taken and those present were Mayor Downs and Commissioners Wright, Butler and Ward. Commissioner Gregory was absent because of illness.

The "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Commissioners' reports:

Commissioner Butler read his report for public properties and streets and they will be included in the minutes.

Commissioner Gregory was absent.

Commissioner Wright read her report and it will be included in the minutes.

Commissioner Ward said he has started looking at the budget for next year and would like to set up a special meeting to discuss the budget.

Mayor Downs gave a shout out to the fire department and everyone involved in the prison ordeal. Downs also thanked Wayne Rosenthal for his work after the prison ordeal.

Community Planner Sarah McConnell read her report and it will be included in the minutes.

The City Engineer Jeremy Connor said they are working on the Helston Pl. and Mechanic St. easements and the 2023 MFT has been approved. Connor said IDOT has some requests for the Seward St. bridge project.

There were no public comments.

Commissioner Butler introduced some of the future City leaders and it included Kyle Butler, Emily Romelin and Allie Kunz.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Butler to adopt Resolution No. 2023-01 a resolution approving the release of certain closed session minutes. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve a $3,000 Façade Improvement Grant for Sullivan Properties for work to be done at 311 Berry St. in Hillsboro. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Butler to approve the recommendation by Mayor Downs to appoint Thomas Reynolds to the Natural Resources Committee. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve purchasing a 2022 Dodge Ram from Victory Lane for a cost of $41,006.00. Motion carried 4-0.

Agenda item No. 14 to approve repairs to engine 604 in the fire department was pulled by Mayor Downs.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve an agreement for technical services and assistance with Moran Economic Development for the development of a capital improvement plan for a cost of $18,500.00. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve a proposal from Tree Brothers Tree Service to cut down trees for the parks department for a cost of $2,300.00. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve purchasing Sherwin Williams Paint for a cost of $5,571.80 for Central Park Pool. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve the dates of May 25th, 26th and 27th for spring cleanup. After discussion Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded Commissioner Wright to amend the dates to May 18th, 19th and 20th for spring cleanup. Amended motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve a proposal from Northwater Company for $25,000 for a water shed study on Hillsboro Old Lake. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve a RFQ for the Fairground Ave. construction project. Motion carried 4-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve a proposal from Hurst & Rosche to do an environmental assessment from the Dog Park through Central park for the OSLAD Grant for a cost of $2,500.00. This was only for discussion so no action was taken.

Commissioner Butler started discussions on reinstating the dog ordinances for the City. Butler said he took a walk around town and some issues with dogs and thinks something needs to be reinstated and maybe reopen talks with the County reference to the dog pound and Mayor Downs said talks are ongoing. Butler said he will bring this topic back for the next meeting.

Commissioner Butler started discussion on the sidewalks around the Courthouse Square. Butler said meetings had been held with the County to look at the sidewalks. Butler said the City hopes to do some sidewalks in the area and he thinks it looks bad and the City probably needs to help since it is the focus of Main St. and some of the sidewalks are the City's responsibilities.

Commissioner Butler started discussion on the purchase of a barge for the City. Butler said the barge is needed to work on the lake if the City is going to get serious. Butler said they looked at a barge in Taylorville and it is the same barge Litchfield purchased for their lake. Butler said the barge is large enough to put equipment and riprap on to property fix the lake. Butler said the cost is around $150,000 so he will be discussing it for the next budget. Butler said there is money left in the ARPA funds if he can use it.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:53 pm by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward. Motion carried 4-0.

https://hillsboroillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/020723-minutes.pdf