South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met July 18.

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, Ward and Justison. 

The "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited. 

Minutes of the previous meetings were approved. 

Commissioners' reports: 

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

Commissioner Justison had a written report from the police department and it will be included in the minutes. Justison also reported the fire department and nine fire calls with one being a structure fire and three for rescue. Justison said he will be following up with the board and see about hiring and follow up with the water department on hydrant testing. Justison said the new mini pumper will be ready in September. Justison read an appreciation letter for Officer Tim Sheldon. 

Commissioner Wright read her report and it will be included in the minutes and thanked the street department for their work on water leaks. 

Commissioner Ward had nothing to report other than the bills on the agenda. 

Mayor Downs said everything went well over the weekend with all the events and the candy store is open. Mayor Downs addressed the fence around the Corner Block Building and said the fence will stay there until the issues are met by the owners and will not open the parking spaces until the issues are met. 

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

The City Engineer was not present. 

Public Comments: 

Jessica Furness addressed the Council and asked that they approve the Back to School Dragon 5k. Furness said it will be the same as other years and Mayor Downs told her it would be on the next agenda for approval. 

Michelle Claybrook and Sue Stege addressed the Council on cars driving fast on North Welch Street and asked for signs to be placed up to warn cars to slow down because of the children playing. Claybrook said she lives at the dead end part of the street next to Stege and there is no way the speed limit can be 30 mph. Claybrook also asked that some of the trees be trimmed so people could see some signs that are blocked. Stege said she had lived there for a long time and it has been a problem but gotten worse. Stege and Claybrook just asked for the help from the City to get cars to slow down on Welch Street. 

Linda Liebscher and Erica Petcher addressed the Council on an upcoming event and requested the Lincoln Plaza and area around there to hold the event and make the area safe. Liebscher thanked the Council for their support and invited them to the grand opening of the Haven Home of Hope on July 31st. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Justison to approve paying bills for the month of July in the amount of $469,985.01. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve helping fund new electrical service on the east side of the Courthouse. The City will split the cost with the Old Settlers Association and the City's half is $6,794.73. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Ward to adopt Ordinance No. 1766 vacating a never developed alley running east and west located south of East Seward Street and between South Welch Street and South East Street. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Justison to adopt Ordinance No. 1767 vacating a never developed alley running east and west located north of East Water Street and between South Welch Street and South East Street. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1768 vacating a never developed alley running east and west located west of South Welch Street, east of Ice Plant Road, and south of East Seward Street. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1769 approving a certain amendment to the City of Hillsboro zoning map. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve putting the Hillsboro Lake spillway reconstruction out for bid. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve a memorandum of agreement between the City of Hillsboro and the Fraternal Order of Police. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Butler to approve repairs to the Oak Street pump station. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Butler to approve repairs to the Clark Station pump station for a cost of $16,362.00. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Justison to approve repairs to the Lakewood Estates pump station No. 1 for a cost of $16,290.00. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Butler to approve a Façade Improvement Grant reimbursement of $3,000.00 for work done at 317 South Main Street. Motion carried 5-0. 

Agenda item No. 21, the approval of a Façade Improvement Grant reimbursement for work done at 311 Berry Street was tabled until the next meeting. 

Agenda item No. 22, the approval of a Façade Improvement Grant for work to be done at 216 South Main Street was pulled by Mayor Downs. 

There was no action taken on agenda item No. 23. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve appointing Dylan Richter and Logan Altenberger to the Planning Commissioner. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve opening bids for 672 Virginia Street and awarding the bid. There was one bid from Misty Brent for $1,500.00. Motion carried 5-0. 

Motion to Adjourn was made at 8:08 pm by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Butler. Motion carried 5-0. 

https://hillsboroillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/4-071823-minutes.pdf