South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Don 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

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Minutes of the October 1st, 2024 regular meeting were approved as presented.

5. Mayor and Commissioners’ Departmental Reports:

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Streets and Public Properties Departments. He reported the Street Department worked on a pair of water leaks on Seymour Avenue and Helston Place. He said they also continued to work on the new sidewalk on Tremont Avenue. In Public Properties, he reported the pedestrian bridge abutments have almost been completed. Butler also thanked part-time staff member Dave Davidson, who is retiring soon, for his ten years of service.

Commissioner Justison presented the reports for the Fire and Police Departments. He reported the fire department responded to one fire call, and they will hold a training event next week. In the police department, he said they will be looking at getting more bullet resistant vests. Justison also reported the police department has observed an increase in active resistance, and he believes the Safe-T Act is at least partially to blame. He commended the officers for how they have handled the increased resistance, and recommended citizens read the newspaper and see how many cases have been dismissed.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported hydrant flushing continues to go well, and also stated the free chlorine burn is still taking place, which may cause residents’ water to smell and/or taste like chlorine. She also reported the pre-bid meeting for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant was held on October 9, and the bid opening is scheduled for November 7.

6. Economic Development & Community Planner Report:

McConnell presented her report to the council. She reported the Looking for Lincoln representatives visited Hillsboro on October 10, and the reception was great. She stated the organization will hold a board meeting on October 30, and she assumes a recommendation will be made to make Hillsboro a Looking for Lincoln community. She also reported Public Properties Supervisor May notified her several people have been utilizing the disc golf course, which is also now on the UDisc app.

7. City Engineer Report:

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

8. Public Comment: None.

9. Discussion / Action – Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Audit: Kyle Putnam from Patton & Company presented the annual audit report to the council. She stated one of the main takeaways is the cost of insurance increasing, which she said is never going to end. She stated she would encourage the council to increase sewer rates again, even if that means freezing any water rate increase in order to do more for the sewer. Wright stated they have already built-in another sewer rate increase for next year, which will be the same increase as this year. Putnam stated the increase in the cost of building new homes means not as many new homes are being built. She said a big source of revenue for the City is the video gaming tax. She also reported another good decision the City made was moving all accounts to one singular bank, especially with the interest rates offered by Bank of Hillsboro. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve the audit report from Patton and Company as presented by Kyle Putnam. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

10. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1806 an Ordinance Authorizing the City of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program: Wright reported this is the same ordinance that was passed previously, but will be for the Illinois EPA funds for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project in 2025. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1806. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Resolution 2024-20 a Resolution Authorizing a Representative to Sign Loan Documents: Motion by Ward and second by Justison to adopt Resolution 2024-20. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Resolution 2024-19 a Resolution Authorizing the Negotiation, Execution, and Delivery of a Lease Agreement Regarding Real Estate Owned by the City of Hillsboro: Butler stated he would like to be included in the negotiations of the lease. Downs stated all of the commissioners would be informed. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to adopt Resolution 2024-19. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion / Action – Paying Bills for the Month of October 2024: Ward reported bills for the month total $624,422.10. He stated the reason they were so much higher this month was due largely because there were two months of Woodard & Curran bills as opposed to one. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve paying bills for the month of October in the amount of $624,422.10. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

14. Discussion / Action – Appointing Garrett Stritzel and Tim Ulrici to the Historic Preservation Committee: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve appointing Garrett Stritzel and Tim Ulrici to the Historic Preservation Committee. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion / Action – Proposal from Woodard and Curran for Design and Construction Services for Year 2025 Lead Service Line Replacements: Wright reported this is a repeat of last year’s proposal. Woodard and Curran Client Manager Don Taul stated last year’s agreement was for 10 percent of the coordinated amount, but this year’s proposal will be for a little more. Butler asked what the typical percentage is in water service engineering proposals such as this. Taul said it depends on the coordinated amount, but design is typically eight percent. He also stated Construction Administration typically ranges from 10 to 15 percent. Butler also asked why the company performing the lead service line replacements jumped around so much this year. Taul stated it had to do with how certain areas qualified as low-income. He stated next year’s qualifications will be better. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to accept the proposal from Woodard and Curran for Design and Construction Services for Year 2025 Lead Service Line Replacements in the amount of $113,700. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

16. Discussion / Action – Estimate for Electrical Work to be Completed at the Santa House: May stated this has been a sore spot for decades. He stated conduit was installed inside the stage, and there’s no good way to get to it. Butler said this will be paid for using business district funds. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the estimate from Hillsboro Electric Company for electrical work to be completed at the Santa House for a cost of $2,121.16. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

17. Discussion / Action – Central Park Trail/Bridge Construction Bid: May reported this is for construction on the trail underneath the bridge. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the Central Park Trail/Bridge Construction Bid from Wade Fuller Construction for a cost of $18,500. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

18. Discussion / Action – Adjourn: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

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