South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met June 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

2. Roll Call was taken:

Present: Mayor 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

Zoning Officer Mike Lee

Street Dept. Supervisor Justin Chappelear

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Public Comment: Allan Spelbring addressed the council on a couple of items. First, he stated he received two postcards in the mail from Homefield Energy: one contained his correct address and the other had his address with a Knoxville residence. He stated, as a retired Ameren employee, he believes this service to be poor on Homefield’s part. The second issue was regarding dead trees on the corner of Fairground and Seymour Avenues. He stated there were three ash trees, and he believes at least two, if not all three, are on City property.

Bill Jones addressed the council stating he received a card from Homefield, and opting out of the aggregate energy program was like pulling teeth. He also said he does not understand why the City would suspend a service like the brush pickup that has been in place since he has been a resident.

Dave Strowmatt stated he also received a card from Homefield, but had a much different experience when calling a representative. He said he received his card recently, and was able to call and opt out without issue. He said it seemed it would be more convenient for citizens if they could opt into the program instead of having to opt out.

5. Minutes of the June 4th, 2024 regular meeting were approved as presented. 6. Mayor and Commissioners’ Departmental Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Public Properties and Street Departments. He reported the public properties department completed putting the 25-foot pedestrian bridge together and is currently working on constructing the 35-foot bridge. He said Stutz Excavating will be installing the bridges. He also reported the marina is 99 percent completed.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Police and Fire Departments. He reported there have been eight grass abatements issued by the zoning department, in addition to working on solar permits. He stated the new police squad should be delivered tomorrow. He also reported an individual was arrested this morning, and the incident resulted in $2,500 in damage to one of the squad vehicles. Justison commended the police officers on their bust of over 50 grams of methamphetamine. He also stated side-by-side was seen parked illegally downtown recently with a photo circulating online. He said illegal parking will be enforced.

Please see the attached minutes from the July 2nd meeting.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports from the Water and Sewer Departments. Prior to those reports, she stated she spoke with Homefield representatives, and all citizens will receive a letter stating their enrollment with Homefield has been rescinded. This was the result of an error after postcards with incorrect addresses were mailed. She also stated the City is not compensated in any way for municipal aggregation. She said the City has been doing municipal aggregation since 2012 when the citizens voted to proceed with an aggregation program. In Water and Sewer, Wright reported there are still issues with the backwash waste lift station. She said Ameren has been lowering their voltage, and when that takes place, the pumps don’t work properly.

Mayor Downs reported the City has done some things differently, referring to the brush pickup, but stated the City is not everyone’s landscaping service in Hillsboro. Butler stated having set days for brush pickup is difficult, but they will be looking at the new policy to see what changes they can make. He said they are looking into possibly having pickups two weeks out of the year.

7. Economic Development & Community Planner Report

McConnell presented her report to the Council. She stated the Phase 2 application for the second round of the energy grant is in progress, adding she will be working with other city officials to determine the best use of those funds. She also reported the “Looking for Lincoln” logo has been approved to be placed on materials.

8. City Engineer Report:

Connor was absent so no report was given.

9. Discussion – Homefield Energy and Aggregate Energy Contracts within the City of Hillsboro:

Lessman stated he did not live in Hillsboro in 2012 when municipal aggregation was last voted on. He asked if the City has opted out of the program. Wright said they have not. Lessman said he had a difficult time with representatives from

Homefield, eventually asking to speak with a supervisor in order to opt out of the program. Wright stated citizens just had to fill out the postcard and drop it in the mail. Lessman asked if the postal service could be trusted to return these. Wright said citizens could also opt out online.

10. Discussion / Action – Resolution 2024-11 a 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 Resolution 2024-11. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Resolution 2024-12 a Resolution of Support and Commitment of Local Funds for the Rebuild Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Grant Application: Butler reported the City will be spending up to $250,000 for the downtown grant. Ward stated it is 25 percent of the project or up to $250,000, whichever is lower.

Motion by Ward and second by Justison to adopt Resolution 2024-12 with the City providing 25 percent of the grant or up to $250,000. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Paying Bills for the Month of June: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve paying bills for the month of June for a total of $552,776.52. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion / Action – TIF Reimbursement to MGL Properties: Downs reported the work is done and looks fantastic. Mark Hughes, who owns MGL Properties, thanked the City for partnering in this project, adding they have a lot of money put into that back wall. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve reimbursing MGL Properties an amount of $89,500 in accordance with the TIF agreement. Justison and Wright abstain. Motion carries with a 3-0-2 vote in favor.

14. Discussion / Action – TIF Reimbursement to The Dressing Room: Butler stated the amounts have not changed, so he would like to move forward with this. Ward stated this will be the last reimbursement he approves with paperwork submitted after the Agenda is posted. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve reimbursing The Dressing Room an amount of $18,000 in accordance with the TIF agreement. Justison and Wright abstain. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion / Action – Façade Improvement Grant Reimbursement to Courthouse Pub for Work Completed at 101 S. Main St. in Hillsboro: Downs reported this is to reimburse The Courthouse Pub for the replacement of their awning. The total cost of the project was $3,876.58. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve a Façade Improvement Grant reimbursement of $1,938.29 to The Courthouse Pub for work completed at 101 S. Main St. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

16. Discussion / Action – Old Settlers Activities and Closing Roads August 4th, and 6th through 9th for Old Settlers Celebration: Motion by Justison and second by Butler to approve the Old Settlers Activities August 4th, 7th and 8th, and to approve closing Main Street from Tillson Street up to and including the Courthouse Square from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 4th, and from 5 p.m. August 6th through August 9th. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

17. Discussion / Action – Four-mile Fun Run on August 4, 2024: Downs reported the event will be held on Sunday again this year. Leetham stated that is preferable for this event. He stated the Farmers Market will be held the preceding Saturday, so there will be road closures downtown for three straight days. Motion by Justison and second by Wright to approve the annual Old Settlers Fun Run for Sunday, August 4, 2024. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

18. Discussion / Action – Adding Section of Boat Slips for Lake Glenn Shoals South Marina: Butler reported this item needs to be tabled again because they just received the numbers for the project today. Ward stated tabling it would require the council to take action again next meeting, and the loan needed to pay for the slips will not be ready by then. He suggested pulling it for now and placing it back on the agenda when they are ready to take action. Item was pulled from the agenda.

19. Discussion / Action – Proposal from Nail Land Surveying for North Access Drive Survey: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve the proposal from Nail Land Surveying for the survey of North Access Drive at a cost of $2,000. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

20. Discussion / Action – Demolition of Central Park Pool: Butler reported he wants to make this decision official and wants the council’s permission to demolish the pool. He stated he has had several volunteers reach out offering to demolish the pool for free. He stated anything that costs more than $4,000 will have to be approved by the council. Motion by Butler and second by Justison to approve demolishing Central Park Pool. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

21. Discussion / Action – Aqua Run on Lake Glenn Shoals on July 27, 2024: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the annual Aqua Run on Lake Glenn Shoals on July 27, 2024. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

22. Adjourn: Motion by Justison and second by Wright to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

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