South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met March 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Don Downs.

Present: Mayor Don Downs

Commissioners Fred Butler, Tommy Justison, and Patrick Ward

Absent: Commissioner Kendra Wright

Also Present: City Clerk David Jenkins

City Attorney Chris Sherer

Community Planner Sarah McConnell

City Engineer Jeremy Connor

Code Enforcement Officer Mike Lee

The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.

Minutes of the February 20, 2024 public hearing and regular meeting were approved as written.

Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Streets and Public Properties Departments. He reported the street department has worked on installing a meter pit on Jefferson Street, as well as installing street signs throughout the City. He stated they also had their CDL training, and those who attended can now conduct their own CDL training in house. In the Public Properties Department, Butler reported Supervisor Jim May is currently attending a lake conference.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Police and Fire Departments. He stated police have responded to 412 calls since the previous report, and the fire department has responded to nine calls. He commended both departments for the jobs they’ve done, and specifically commended the volunteer fire department for their work on February 26, 2024, stating it was a long day handling numerous calls consecutively.

Mayor Downs noted Commissioner Wright submitted the Water and Sewer Departments’ reports.

Commissioner Ward reported he sent an email to the other commissioners with the revenue estimates. He stated the council shouldn’t have a need for a special meeting this year for the budget. Butler stated his departments will be meeting Thursday to discuss budgets.

Mayor Downs reported he will be meeting with Police Chief Randy Leetham and Commissioner Justison to discuss an issue with electric bikes in the City. He stated he has observed some speeding on city sidewalks and the vehicles should be on the road.

Economic Development and Community Planner Sarah McConnell presented her report to the council. She stated Phase I of the energy grant is due March 15th, and she has been working on that. She also reported she attended the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Conference last week.

City Engineer Jeremy Connor reported the City received the contract for the Broad Street project. Butler stated that project is only for the section in front of the fire house, and not the entire street. Connor reported he hopes to have information on downtown sidewalk projects for the next meeting. He also stated work has begun on clearing of the Helston Place project.

Public Comment:

Carmen Blythe addressed the council about fees for non-highway vehicles. She asked why the fee was increased so much, as it went from $40 to $100. She stated the only towns she could find with fees comparable to Hillsboro’s new one were Vandalia, Taylorville and Gillespie. She said there are at least 77 campers who have to have golf carts, and they have to pay for the stickers because the campground has city roads. She said she would like the council to revisit the non-highway vehicle fee.

Dick Compton addressed the council about wifi at the campground and whether or not it was working now. Butler stated he hopes it is, but they won’t know for sure until the campers arrive on site.

Resolution 2024-03 a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement Between the City of Hillsboro, Illinois and Linda Saathoff/The Dressing Room Utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Work to be Done at 221 S. Main Street: Downs reported The Dressing Room has been dealing with a failing roof. McConnell said a lot of water has come in as a result. She said the request is for $18,000, and the lowest bid came in at $34,000. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adopt Resolution 2024-03 a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement Between the City of Hillsboro, Illinois and Linda Saathoff/The Dressing Room Utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Work to be done at 221 South Main Street. Justison abstained. Motion carried with a 3-0-1 vote in favor.

Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and the City of Hillsboro Regarding Access to the Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and the City of Hillsboro regarding Access to the Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Façade Improvement Grant Reimbursement to Subway for Work Completed at 216 S. Main Street in Hillsboro: McConnell reported the total amount is $2,151.07, and the city’s portion will be $1,075.53. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve the Façade Improvement Grant Reimbursement to Subway for work completed at 216 S. Main Street in Hillsboro in the amount of $1,075.53. Justison abstained. Motion carried with a 3-0-1 vote in favor.

Façade Improvement Grant Application for the Courthouse Pub for Work to be Done at 101 S. Main Street in Hillsboro: Downs reported this is for the awning on the front of the building. He said the owner will be replacing the cloth awning with a metal one. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve the Façade Improvement Grant application for the Courthouse Pub for work to be done at 101 S. Main Street in Hillsboro. Justison abstained. Motion carried with a 3-0-1 vote in favor.

Closing Lincoln Plaza for 2024 Hillsboro High School Prom Coronation on May 4, 2024: Jason Burke addressed the council about closing the plaza for the school’s prom coronation. He stated prom will be held at The Lodge on Main this year, and coronation has always been a public event, so they would like to have it at the plaza. He said they do have a backup plan in mind in case weather becomes an issue. Lineup will be at 7 p.m., with coronation taking place from 7 to 8 p.m. and the promenade immediately following. In addition to the plaza, Burke said he would like to see if part of the street could be blocked off. Burke said the Waffle Cone has also agreed to serve treats during the event, and out of concern for students walking across the street throughout the evening, he would like to request assistance from the auxiliary police in monitoring the crosswalk. He said they will have chaperones who can assist with those duties as well. Motion by Justison and second by Butler to approve closing the Lincoln Plaza from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 4, 2024 for the Hillsboro High School Prom Coronation. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Signing of Letter of Understanding from Hillsboro Health Regarding Provision of Health Care Services for Low-income Individuals: Katie Duncan addressed the council about the hospital’s 340B drug discount program. She stated this program provides critical access hospitals with access to significant discounts on certain outpatient drugs. She stated the hospital must have a signed letter of understanding from a local municipality in order to move forward with their application. Motion by Justison and second by Ward to approve signing the Letter of Understanding from Hillsboro

Health regarding provision of health care services for low-income individuals. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Resolution 2024-04 a Resolution of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Adopting the 2024 Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan: Justison stated the City must approve a resolution adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to be eligible for grant dollars. Motion by Ward and second by Justison to adopt Resolution 2024-04 a Resolution of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois adopting the 2024 Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Hiring Manager for the Glenn Shoals Lake Marina: Butler reported they met with a couple of candidates interested in the position, and the recommendation is to hire Beth Netemeyer. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve hiring Beth Netemeyer for the position of Marina Manager for the 2024 season. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Advertising for Summer Employment with the City of Hillsboro: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve advertising for summer employment with the City of Hillsboro for the 2024 season. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

“City Bucks” Policy for City of Hillsboro Employees: Butler stated the City used to have a City Bucks program, and he would like bring it back in order to prevent certain benefits from being abused, such as the renting of facilities. He said full-time employees would receive $300 per year, and part-time employees would receive $250. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the City Bucks Policy for City of Hillsboro employees. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:44 p.m. by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Butler. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

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