South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met April 16.

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

Public Properties Supervisor Jim May

Woodard & Curran Plant Manager Tim Ferguson

The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.

Minutes of the April 2, 2024 regular meeting were approved as written. Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Streets and Public Properties Departments. He reported the parks department staff continue to work on the Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina. He also stated the pedestrian bridges for Central Park came in. Butler stated City staff will be working on setting up email reminders next year for expiring lake lots, campground spots and marina slips. He said there is a wait list for every recreational item and there will be no exceptions next year for missing payments.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Police and Fire Departments. He reported the Zoning and Code Enforcement office has observed many yards that need owed, and they will be working on abating those. He reported the fire department hosted two training events.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported Korte Luitjohan wrapped up the Taylor Springs backup master meter project. She also reported there was a sewer backup at Springfield Road and Helston Place, adding it was at the opposite end of where they are currently working.

Commissioner Ward reported the plan is for the council to vote on the budget at the next regular city council meeting.

Mayor Downs reported it is the time of year for residents to start cleaning up their properties. He stated he also signed a proclamation today recognizing National Volunteer Week, which starts next week.

Economic Development and Community Planner Sarah McConnell presented her report to the council. She reported she is working on quarterly reports for the DCEO Energy Grant. She also said the council will consider a Façade Improvement Grant reimbursement later during the meeting.

City Engineer Jeremy Connor was absent and no report was given.

Public Comment: Imagine Hillsboro President Kaitlyn Fath addressed the council about the annual Mother-Son Battlefest Palooza to be held at Central Park on June 8, 2024. She said she was told last year they did not need permission to hold the event at the park, but wanted to make sure she kept the council apprised of what was going on. She said they will need access to electricity and water.

Butch Mikeska addressed the council about the City offering an autopay option for bills like campground and lake lot fees. Commissioner Butler stated he was interested in moving in that direction as well; however, it does not appear to be cost effective right now.

Paying Bills for the Month of April: Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve paying bills for the month of April in the amount of $548,169.53. Justison abstains. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

Façade Improvement Grant Reimbursement to John and Susan Galer for Work Completed at 419 S. Main St.: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the Façade Improvement Grant Reimbursement to John and Susan Galer for a total of $1,920 for work completed at 419 South Main Street. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Reappointment of Tim Hopper to the Fire Pension Fund Board: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve the reappointment of Tim Hopper to the Fire Pension Fund Board. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Reappointment of Charlie Goad and John Evans to the Police Pension Fund Board: Motion by Justison and second by Wright to approve the reappointments of Charlie Goad and John “Jack” Evans to the Police Pension Fund Board. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Resolution 2024-06 a Resolution Concerning Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for Wastewater Treatment Plant: Downs stated the Council had a group of people attend a meeting a few weeks ago regarding a Project Labor Agreement. He read an email from the Rural Development Office of the USDA stating it’s possible a PLA will conflict with the USDA’s regulations regarding maximum open and free competition. Butler stated he would like to table the matter to get a definitive answer on whether or not the City would be ineligible for USDA funds if a PLA is approved. Wright stated if the City needs to ask whether it is a violation, they should assume it is a violation. Downs said the USDA can be difficult to deal with. Wright said she does not believe the City needs to table the matter, adding if they find out later the City can move forward with a PLA without being in conflict with the USDA’s regulations, then the Council can address it then. No action was taken.

Repair Pump at Ash Street Lift Station: Motion by Butler and second by Justison to approve the proposal from Illinois Electric Works for the repair of the Ash Street Lift Station pump for a total cost of $2,840. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Replace Pump at Lakewood #1 Lift Station: Woodard and Curran Plant Manager Tim Ferguson reported the cost to replace the pump at this lift station was not much more than the cost to repair it, which is why they are recommending its replacement. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the proposal from Illinois Electric Works for the replacement of the Lakewood #1 Lift Station pump for a total cost of $7,300. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Proposal from Vandevanter Engineering to Rebuild Lift Station Behind Paris Frozen Foods: Wright reported this is part of the Helston Place project, and it won’t begin until the next budget cycle. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve the proposal from Vandevanter Engineering to rebuild the lift station behind Paris Frozen Foods for a total cost of $148,019. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Year Seven Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Budget with Woodard and Curran: Ferguson reported the budget is about $7,000 more than this year’s budget. He stated there was a lot of dry weather last year, which created a minor algae bloom. He said they are also dealing with an algae bloom right now as a result of cooler weather. He stated the end of this year’s budget is looking very good.

Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the Year 7 Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant Budget from Woodard and Curran. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Removing Liens on Properties from Revised Code of Ordinances for the Local Debt Recovery Program: Wright reported City Clerk Jenkins and Treasurer Bonnie Hefley have been working on signing up for the Local Debt Recovery Program, but the State will not take on debts that have liens on them. She asked if the City could send the state debts that do not have liens on them while still keeping liens as an option for other properties. Jenkins said he did not know if that was a possibility or not, adding they were required to send the delinquency process to the comptroller’s office. He said what the City sent was taken directly from the City Code, which included placing liens on properties. Wright suggested reaching out to the State to see if they could, indeed, just place debts without liens in the program without removing liens from the Code entirely. Jenkins said he will reach back out to the state.

Purchasing Aluminum Deck Ramping for South Marina: Butler reported the ramp at the marina is in horrible shape and needs replaced. He stated this will be paid for in next year’s budget. Motion by Wright and second by Justison to approve purchasing aluminum decking from JLS Marine for the Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina ramp for a cost of $3,200. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchase Materials for Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina: Butler reported the parks department has been working on getting the Marina ready for the season, and they need to purchase a number of items such as coolers and panels to get it started. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve purchasing materials for the Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina for a cost of $7,055.83. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchase Flooring for Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina: Butler reported they are planning on ripping out all the flooring as part of the renovation to the marina. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve purchasing flooring from Quality Flooring for the Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina for a total cost of $3,095.62. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Crossover Ministries Pickleball and Bags Tournament at Central Park Complex: Motion by Butler and second by Justison to approve the Crossover Ministries Pickleball and Bags Tournament for the Haven Home of Hope at the Central Park Pool Complex on Sunday, April 21st. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

EPA Proposal for Smelter on Eagle Zinc Property: Butler reported he would like to do something with the Eagle Zinc site, adding he has spoken with someone interested in building a road out there. He stated the plan that was given to the other commissioners is what he plans on sending to the EPA.

One Percent Sales Tax for Central Park Pool and City of Hillsboro Infrastructure Improvements: Butler reported the council will vote on a resolution during the last meeting in May to put the sales tax referendum on the ballot for the upcoming November election.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:46 p.m. by Commissioner Butler and seconded by Commissioner Wright. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

https://hillsboroillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/041624-minutes.pdf