South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met April 2.

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, Patrick Ward and Kendra Wright

Absent: None.

Also Present: City Clerk David Jenkins

City Attorney Chris Sherer

Community Planner Sarah McConnell

City Engineer Jeremy Connor

Police Chief Randy Leetham

Public Properties Supervisor Jim May

The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.

Minutes of the March 19, 2024 regular meeting were approved as written.

Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Streets and Public Properties Departments. He stated the public properties department has been working on adding rock around the firemen’s clubhouse as well as preparing the marina for the 2024 season. He reported the Sherwood Forest Campground move-in meeting was successful. Butler reported the street department has been installing meter pits at Halls Lane and adding dirt along the new sidewalks on Tremont Street.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Police and Fire Departments. He reported the police department responded to a total of 411 calls since the previous report, most of which were traffic related. He stated the fire department responded to a total of seven events, and they also held a volunteer training event.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported they held the pre-bid meeting for the lead service line replacement project, which will be paid for using Environmental Protection Agency funds. She stated the Glenn Shoals water quality remains consistent, and TEK Construction’s work on the Helston Place Sewer System Improvements continues to progress with the council set to act on the first pay application later in the meeting. Wright also addressed water bills and what occurs when payments are not made. She said bills are due on the 15th of each month, and each bill that is not paid by that date is assessed a late fee. Outstanding bills that are not paid by the first Monday of the next month are added to the shutoff list, and water service is disconnected on Tuesday. Wright stated if customers need assistance, they should contact the water clerk at City Hall prior to the due date. She also reported the council will have a conversation later in the meeting about the cost of the new sewer plant and how to address paying for it.

Commissioner Ward reported two certificates of deposit matured, which were both $250,000.

Mayor Downs reported he will bring a proposed resolution from the Illinois Municipal League to the next council meeting. The resolution, Downs stated, will aim to protect the one percent grocery tax which he said he believes is important for communities like Hillsboro.

Economic Development and Community Planner Sarah McConnell presented her report to the council. She reported progress is being made on the design for the tourism booklets. She stated a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday morning with the EPA to look at the Eagle Zinc property.

City Engineer Jeremy Connor reported the Broad Street survey is complete, and the Jefferson Street project is on its way to IDOT.

Public Comment: None.

Renewing the Line of Credit with Bank of Hillsboro: Ward reported the City has a $300,000 revolving line of credit with Bank of Hillsboro. He said it hasn’t been used yet to his knowledge and is there primarily for emergencies. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve renewing the $300,000 line of credit with Bank of Hillsboro. Ward abstains. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget for the City of Hillsboro: Ward asked the commissioners if they had any large purchases that needed to be funded in the next budget, other than the usual items. Butler stated he is budgeting for a dump truck for the street department and a parks truck for public properties. Justison reported he is planning on sitting down with the police department regarding their budget. He stated the fire department is looking at a new truck, with a projected cost of around $700,000. Ward stated the City’s income for the next fiscal year is not technically lower, but it will seem like it because of the lack of ARPA funds. Wright reported she hopes to have the water and sewer budgets passed along Thursday or Friday.

Ordinance No. 1792 an Ordinance Amending the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois to Create a Class of Liquor License for the City: Downs reported he and City Clerk Jenkins traveled to Springfield to visit the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to apply for a liquor license for the Marina, and found out the City has to pass an ordinance granting authority to give ourselves a license. Ward asked if this license is seasonal, and Downs responded it is. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1792 an Ordinance Amending the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois to Create a Class of Liquor License for the City. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1793 an Ordinance Amending Section 38-4-26 and Section 38-4-27 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Regarding Rates and Charges of the City’s Wastewater System: Wright reported the City is going to borrow $28 million from the USDA for the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The current plant was built in 1937, and she stated no money has been saved to build a new one. Wright said the City has received a $9 million grant to help fund the project. The ordinance would increase the base sewer rate on May 1, 2024 to $27.50. The base rate would then increase on May 1, 2025 to $40. On May 1, 2026 and each May 1 thereafter, the sewer base rate would increase either 2.5 percent or the rate of inflation calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, whichever one is greater. In addition to the base rate, effective May 1, 2024, the cost per one thousand gallons would increase to $4.17. On May 1, 2025, that would increase to $4.90 per one thousand gallons; and on May 1, 2026 and every May 1 thereafter, it would increase either 2.5 percent or the rate of inflation calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, whichever one is greater. Wright reported water and sewer rates were stagnant for about 40 years. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to adopt Ordinance No. 1793 an Ordinance Amending Section 38-4-26 and Section 38-4-27 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Regarding Rates and Charges of the City’s Wastewater System. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

First Pay Application from TEK Construction for the Helston Place Sewer System Improvements: Wright reported this is a progress payment in the amount of $118,671.11. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve the first pay application from TEK Construction for the Helston Place Sewer System Improvements in the amount of $118,671.11. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Bituminous Mix and Oil and Chip Bids for the 2024 MFT Program: Butler reported the bids came in under what City Engineer Connor had projected, which they were pleased with. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to accept the proposal from Litchfield Bituminous for Bituminous Materials and Seal Coat in the amount of $113,422.50 and from Louis Marsch Inc. for Bituminous Mix and Premix for a cost of $28,876 for the 2024 MFT program. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1791 an Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Personal Property Owned by the City of Hillsboro, Illinois: Butler reported the City has a list of six vehicles and one bush hog that will be declared surplus. He said he has spoken with a local auction company about selling these items once the ordinance is passed. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1791 an Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Personal Property owned by the City of Hillsboro, Illinois. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Resolution 2024-05 a Resolution to Hold a Public Hearing on a Proposal to Exchange Real Estate Owned by the City of Hillsboro, Illinois: Butler reported this exchange is between the City and the McFarlin Family, adding that the City has been burning on the McFarlin property for years. Additionally, Butler said the City put a disc golf course on their property. He stated the McFarlins are going to put the property in a trust for 300 years to keep the timber on the property they are receiving from the City. Motion by Butler and second by Justison to adopt Resolution 2024-05 a Resolution to Hold a Public Hearing on a proposal to Exchange Real Estate Owned by the City of Hillsboro, Illinois. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. Jenkins reported the hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2024 during the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

One Percent Sales Tax Referendum for the Central Park Pool: Butler stated he is proposing a one percent sales tax over a 20-year span in order to pay for the cost of constructing a new pool for Central Park. He said the idea was presented by Montgomery County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser as an alternative to a property tax increase. He said, like the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the pool was also constructed in 1937. Butler said putting it to a referendum would put the decision in the hands of the voters. He stated he will be meeting with City Attorney Sherer next about drafting the resolution.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:35 p.m. by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Butler. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

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