South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met May 21.

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

Police Chief Randy Leetham

Deputy Chief Tim Hopper

Street Department Supervisor Justin Chappelear

Woodard and Curran Plant Manager Tim Ferguson

The “Pledge of Allegiance” was recited.

Public Comment: None.

Minutes of the April 16, 2024 regular meeting were approved as written. Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Streets and Public Properties Departments. He reported the EPA 319 grant application was submitted for the public properties department. He also stated they have marked the available lake lots and have compiled a list and notified those on the waiting list.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Police and Fire Departments. He reported the mini pumper for the fire department finally arrived after two years and five months. In the police department, he reported they were able to run under budget enough during the previous fiscal year in order to purchase a new canine unit vehicle. He also thanked Commissioner Ward and City Treasurer Bonnie Hefley for their work on the budget. Justison stated tall grass remains and issue, and he reminded citizens to keep their yards mowed.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported the Illinois EPA increased the City’s grant amount to $900,000 for the lead service line replacement project. She stated the City will be able to address many more service lines as a result of the increase. Water Plant Manager Ferguson reported he sent out a letter as part of a requirement from the IEPA, and many of the phone calls he has taken regarding that letter have been cordial. He reiterated there is no issue with citizens drinking water, as this letter was a compliance issue.

Commissioner Ward commended everyone for the work they did on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

Mayor Downs reported he received a letter from Richard Hewitt stating he will be stepping down from the Police and Fire Commission Board. He also expressed condolences to the family of Gene Knisley who passed away. He stated Knisley served on the Hillsboro Zoning Board for many years, in addition to being a proud business owner. Downs stated CJ Liddell has been the co-chair of the board, and the council will take action on the full chair at their next meeting.

Economic Development and Community Planner Sarah McConnell presented her report to the council. She reported Looking for Lincoln efforts continue to move forward. She also reported the Tourism Booklets have been designed and Imagine Hillsboro hosted another successful farmers’ market.

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

The Council presented a plaque to former Police Officer Tim Sheldon for his 24 years of service to the City of Hillsboro. In addition, Chief Leetham presented Sheldon with his badge.

Paying Bills for the Month of May: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve paying bills for the month of May in the amount of $532,875.13. Wright abstained. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1795 an Ordinance Calling for the Submission to the Electors of the City of Hillsboro Whether It Shall Be Authorized to Levy a One Percent Sales Tax for the Expenditure on Municipal Operations Infrastructure: The council pulled this item from the agenda and no action was taken.

Ordinance No. 1796 an Ordinance Amending Section 31-1-15 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Pertaining to Fishing on Lake Glenn Shoals: Public Properties Supervisor Jim May stated this will effect a pond where youth are able to fish, adding the idea came from Illinois Conservation Officer Matt Lentz. May reported the Illinois Department of Natural Resources stated the pond is ready to fish in, and you must be 16 and under to fish in it. Motion by Wright and second by Justison to adopt Ordinance No. 1796. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1797 an Ordinance Amending Section 31-1-86(A) and Section 31-1- 86(B) of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Regarding the Regulation of Boat Docks on Lake Glenn Shoals: May reported they have observed two sunken pontoons at Lake Glenn Shoals, and the former provision did not clearly state prohibiting such boats. He said this ordinance cleans up the language regarding those as well as floating barrels. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to adopt Ordinance No. 1797. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Ordinance No. 1798 an Ordinance Authorizing the City of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program: Commissioner Wright reported this was already passed; however, the dollar amount in the ordinance is changing to coincide with the increase in funds the City will receive from the Illinois EPA. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1798. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Resolution 2024-09 a Resolution Authorizing the Sale of City-Owned Real Estate (Part of P.I.N. 12-18-300-002): Commissioner Butler reported this is the first trial run of the adjacent land sale. He said the City is selling 0.705 acres for $9,400. He stated the amount is a little higher because of the road access, as well as the water and sewer access. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to adopt Resolution No. 2024-09. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Second Payment to Brian Sullivan Regarding TIF Agreement: Ward reported this is an annual payment. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve paying the second annual payment to Brian Sullivan in accordance with the TIF agreement in the amount of $5,000. Wright and Justison abstain. Motion carries with a 3-0-2 vote in favor.

Consent to Assignment of Lease for 212 Lands End Road (Lakewood Estates Lots 57, 58 & 59) from Thomas G. Terneus to Thomas G. Terneus Trust: Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve the consent to assignment of Lease for 121 Lands End Road (Lakewood Estates Lots 57, 58 & 59) from Thomas G. Terneus to the Thomas G. Terneus Trust. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Municipal Contract with Montgomery County for Animal Control Services: Mayor Downs reported this contract has been worked on for many years. He stated County Board Chairman Doug Donaldson has been good to work with. He said an agreement was reached during a previous meeting of the County mayors to have a contract with a per capita charge of $2.00 with no added charges. Downs said the County Board passed a contract at their meeting last week that included a charge of $2.50 per capita and added charges for emergency and after hours calls. Downs stated the added charges make it impossible for municipalities to budget. Ward said he doesn’t take issue with the increased per capita rate, as much, but the added charges are a big issue. Butler stated the additional charges make it seem like an open checkbook. Leetham stated Animal Control hasn’t been responding to calls they are required by the State to respond to. Deputy Police Chief Hopper stated Hillsboro Police officers have responded to five or six dog bite calls over the last month, and Animal Control is mandated by the State to respond to those calls. Butler stated he wanted to vote on the contract tonight. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the Municipal Contract with Montgomery County for Animal Control Services. Motion fails with a 5-0 vote against.

Hiring Officer for the City of Hillsboro Police Department: Commissioner Justison reported they met with Keith Carlock, and the Police and Fire Commission is recommending his hire to the department. Motion by Justison and second by Wright to approve hiring Keith Carlock to the position of Officer with the City of Hillsboro Police Department. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. Justison stated Carlock was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, and he will be sworn in later. Leetham stated he is hopeful he will start June 10, 2024.

Notice of Intent to Award Hillsboro Lead Service Line Replacement: Wright reported the council addressed this at the previous meeting, but the increase in funds means the City can award the full bid price. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve the Notice of Intent to Award the Hillsboro Lead Service Line Replacement to Murphy Brothers Construction for an amount not to exceed $763,990. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchase Dump Truck from Victory Lane for City of Hillsboro Street Department: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve purchasing a dump truck from Victory Lane for the City of Hillsboro Street Department in the amount of $97,175. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Proposal from DeLaurent Construction for Maintenance to Parking Lot at Wood Street and Berry Street: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the proposal from DeLaurent Construction for maintenance to the parking lot at Wood and Berry Streets in the amount of $4,766.40. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Central Park/Challacombe Park Pedestrian Bridge Abutments: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the Central Park/Challacombe Park Pedestrian Bridge abutments from Stutz Excavating for a cost of $59,470. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Repair/Replace HVAC for Central Park: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve replacing the HVAC system for Central Park for a cost of $4,299.90. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchasing Truck for Parks Department: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve purchasing a truck for the Parks Department from Victory Lane for a cost of $69,998. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchasing Bass for Glenn Shoals Lake: Motion by Butler and second by Justison to approve purchasing bass from Seven Springs Fish Farm and Lake Management for a cost of $15,000. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchasing Golf Cart for Campground Manager: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve purchasing a golf cart for the Campground Manager from CW Auto Sales LLC for a cost of $6,345. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Purchasing Replacement Launch Dock for Glenn Shoals Lake: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve purchasing a replacement launch dock for the Glenn Shoals Lake South Marina from JLS Marine for a cost of $19,600. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Cardboard Boat Regatta Saturday, July 13th at Fourth of July Pavilion and Old Hillsboro Lake: Motion by Butler and second by Justison to approve the Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, July 13 at the Fourth of July Pavilion and Old Hillsboro Lake. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

Establishing North Access Drive: Butler reported the road being proposed is by the North Marina, and he believes they need a road there because there are residents who live in that area who have packages delivered in the middle of nowhere because their current addresses don’t accurately reflect where they live.

Motion to Adjourn was made at 7:51 p.m. by Commissioner Justison and seconded by Commissioner Wright. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

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