South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met Jan. 2.

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 Don Downs and Commissioners Kendra Wright, Fred Butler and Patrick Ward. Commissioner Tommy Justison was absent.

The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.

Minutes of the previous meetings were approved.

Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented his report to the council. He reported the Street Department has finished demolishing a house on Taylorville Road. In the Parks Department, he stated the spillway project is complete. He also said the adjacent land sale proposal around Lake Glenn Shoals is complete and will be addressed at the next meeting.

Commissioner Wright presented her report to the council. She reported she and other officials met today regarding the Helston Place project and discussed putting it out for bid. She also stated they are starting to get ammonia levels at the sewer plant, which is one of the reasons for the Helston Place project.

Mayor Downs stated he had nothing different to report that wasn’t said at the previous meeting and reiterated he is looking forward to 2024.

Economic Development and Community Planner Sarah McConnell presented her report to the council. She stated there is not a lot different from the last meeting, adding that she is waiting on the State’s copy of the agreement for the energy grant. She also reported final edits of the Capital Improvement Plan were sent and she would like to put that on the next agenda.

City Engineer Jeremy Connor was absent and no report was given. Public Comment: None.

Resolution Approving the Release of Certain Closed Session Minutes of the City Council of the City of Hillsboro: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt the Resolution Approving the Release of Certain Closed Session Minutes of the City Council of the City of Hillsboro. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1784 Amending Ordinance No. 1685 Regulating Mobile Food Trucks in the City of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois: Downs reported there are a few proposed changes to the ordinance he would like the council to consider. The biggest change, he said, would be increasing the annual fee from $50 to $75. Ward stated he thinks that could be increased even more. He suggested increasing it to $150, adding that other municipalities have fees that are even greater than that. Downs stated another proposed change is reflected in Section IV Part C. The ordinance currently prohibits vehicles, including those used to tow mobile food trucks. The amendment would allow for vehicles towing the trucks to stay in the designated area. Another proposed change was the addition of the requirement for vendors to have city council approval in order to set up on public property. Downs said this amendment was added before he found out vendors have been getting approval from the Chief of Police, and he said that part could be changed to read “approval from the Chief of Police or his or her designee.” In the same part of the ordinance, another amendment proposes to reduce the number of feet food trucks shall be from an intersection from 50 feet to 25 feet. Code Enforcement Officer Mike Lee stated the City Code currently requires a minimum of 30 feet from an intersection. Ward said it makes sense to have this ordinance be consistent with the code. Wright stated she believes the last paragraph of Section IV should be removed because the license renewal fee is listed as the same as the first time fee, and the 30-day requirement prior to the expiration of the license has already passed. Downs asked if the council could approve the ordinance based on the proposed changes. City Attorney Chris Sherer said the council could take action on the ordinance at the next meeting after the changes have been made. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to table this item until the next meeting. Motion carries with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Approving the Addendum between the City of Hillsboro and Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 773 Regarding Holidays: Downs reported this item has been talked about a number of times previously, and he believes the City should observe this holiday. Ward stated approving this would put Hillsboro in line with most if not all other government organizations and municipalities. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and approve the Addendum between the City of Hillsboro and Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 773 Regarding Holidays. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Change Water Clerk from an Hourly Employee to a Salaried Employee: Wright stated because of a codification error, the water clerk is not currently a salaried employee. Ward asked if she meets the requirements to become one, such as making decisions. Wright said she currently does that. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve changing the water clerk from an hourly employee to a salaried employee. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Operation or Leasing of Marina for 2024 Season: Butler reported the main complaint regarding the marina has been consistency as he said many have said they do not know when it’s open. He said he has been thinking about running it as City Property instead of leasing it like what has been done in the past. Ward asked how much the City makes by leasing it. Butler said nothing. Parks and Public Properties Director Jim May stated the marina is there to be of service to the patrons of the lake, and this would help achieve that goal. Butler said the City would hire somebody to be the manager and that person could oversee other employees to sell fuel and boat permits and food and beverages to patrons. Butler said he would like the council to make a motion tonight. Ward said it sounds like the position of manager needs to be created. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to move the Marina away from being a restaurant and operate it as the City and to create the position of Marina Manager. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:35 p.m. by Commissioner Wright and seconded by Commissioner Butler. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

https://hillsboroillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/010224-minutes.pdf