South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met July 2.

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 and Patrick Ward

Absent: Commissioners Tommy Justison and Kendra Wright

Also Present: City Clerk David Jenkins

City Attorney Chris Sherer

Community Planner Sarah McConnell

Public Properties Supervisor Jim May

City Engineer Jeremy Connor

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Public Comment: None.

5. Minutes of the June 18th, 2024 regular meeting were approved as presented.

6. Mayor and Commissioners’ Departmental Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Public Properties and Streets Departments. He reported construction of the 25-foot and one of the 35-foot pedestrian bridges has been completed, and the parks department has begun working on the other 35- foot bridge. He also reported the Central Park restroom is now open. He also stated the Marina is going great and manager Beth Netemeyer has done an awesome job. Butler reported the Street Department has been cutting down dead trees, as well as attending to water leaks on Old Oaks Drive and Anna Street.

Mayor Downs presented the report for the Police and Fire Departments. He reported Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Mike Lee and Police Officer Frank Kenney have been active writing abatement notices for violations. He also reiterated the need for citizens to keep their lawns in compliance with the City Code.

Downs presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. He reported the Illinois EPA is reviewing the Lead Service Line contracts. He also stated the USDA has submitted loan paperwork.

Downs reported he spoke with Officer Kenny about educating juveniles on walking on the wrong side of the road. He also stated bicycles must be ridden on the same side of the road as vehicular traffic. Downs thanked Montgomery County GIS Employee Kevin Brink for his work on the maps for the 4th of July fireworks display. He stated the weather doesn’t currently look favorable for the display, which could end up being moved to Saturday night, but it is too soon to make that determination.

7. Economic Development & Community Planner Report:

McConnell reported the second round of the Phase II Energy Grant application is in process. She also reported she doesn’t currently have any new redevelopment agreements, but she has met with several potential applicants, and she expects and influx coming in. She reminded everyone of the marina hours since it is fully open. Those hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It will also be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 4th of July.

8. City Engineer Report:

Connor reported the Tremont Bid Opening is scheduled for July 10th at 10 a.m. at City Hall. He stated they also have a water tower meeting scheduled for July 17th at 10 a.m. He reported the Broad and Fairground projects are currently in the environmental phase.

9. Discussion / Action – Resolution 2024-13 a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor or Designee to Seek Bids to Enter into a Wholesale Electricity Supply Contract: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adopt Resolution 2024-13. Motion carried with a 3- 0 vote in favor.

10. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1799 an Ordinance Establishing Closing Hours for City Parks and Public Properties in the City of Hillsboro, Illinois: Butler reported Lincoln Plaza is currently closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., which will not be changed in the ordinance. He stated the only revision he would like to make to the ordinance presented this evening is changing the other public property opening hours to 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. He said that would give joggers and walkers the opportunity to go through those areas. He said he wouldn’t expect law enforcement officers to cite joggers or walkers trespassing in those areas, but he wanted to revise it to allow those places to be open beginning at 5 a.m. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adopt Ordinance No. 1799 with the amendment to paragraph D to read “All parks, buildings, and properties of the City identified below shall be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.” Motion carried with a 3-0 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Proposal from Utilitra for Security Camera System for Inside/Outside City Hall and Outside Library: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the proposal from Utilitra for the Security Camera System for a cost of $8,896.41. Motion carried with a 3-0 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Final Pay Application from TEK Construction for Helston Place Sewer System Improvements: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the final pay application from TEK Construction for the Helston Place Sewer System Improvements for a cost of $57,094.15. Motion carried with a 3-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion – Zach Resmann from Resolute Energy Solutions to Address Council on Utility Savings Program and Solar Credits for City Bills: Resmann presented information on solar credits the City could take advantage of in order to save money on utility bills. He said he lives in Highland, but grew up in Pocahontas and would like to present the City with a proposal to participate in a community solar program. He stated he is not here to talk about municipal aggregation. He also stated there is no up front or back end costs involved with the program. Resmann stated he would like to be added to the agenda for the July 16th meeting. City Clerk Jenkins stated he could add the proposal to the agenda as long as Commissioner Wright is on board with doing so.

14. Discussion / Action – Food Truck at Lake Glenn Shoals Marina on 4th of July: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve allowing The Waffle Cone to set up at the Lake Glenn Shoals South Marina on July 4. Motion carried with a 3-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion – Upcoming Agenda Items: Downs stated the Council will be considering the sales tax increase as soon as the Governor signs the legislation allowing it. Butler stated they will also be looking at marina slips as well.

16. Discussion / Action – Adjourn: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 3-0 vote in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

https://hillsboroillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/7-2-24-meeting-minutes.pdf