South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met Jan. 7.

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 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

Street Dept. Supervisor Justin Chappelear

City Engineer Jeremy Connor

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Minutes of the December 17th, 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 has been busy plowing snow, and that the roads are decent but there are still areas that need cleared up. He reminded residents that when they clear their driveways, they should not push the snow into the road. If they do, it will end up getting pushed back into the driveways by the plows. In the Public Properties Department, Butler reported JLS Marine has finished construction of the new boat slips. He also announced there will be a town hall meeting on Wednesday, January 15th at 7 p.m. to discuss the Central Park Pool.

Commissioner Justison reported the Police Department responded to 283 calls in December, including two accidents. In total in 2024, he said they responded to 5,043 calls, including 55 accidents. He reported the Fire Department responded to a rollover and structure fire to begin the year. In 2024, they responded to 70 total calls, and logged 1,874 training hours. He also stated the volunteer fire department collected items for the assembly of 150 Christmas boxes.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported the water department staff installed a heater pump in the raw water station. She also stated 1,200 new water meters have been installed. She reported Plocher Construction submitted the lowest bid for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, with their bid coming in at $36,118,163. She said this is still above the maximum amount allowed by the USDA for the loan the City has been granted, adding the maximum amount was approximately $32 million.

Each of the Commissioners commended the Street Department for their work in removing the snow from the Streets. Mayor Downs stated there are monstrous piles of snow around town due to the amount of precipitation the City received, and the City staff will be working on hauling the piles to dump at other locations. He said the roads are not fully open yet, but the Street Department will continue to work on getting them open. He said this was a big snow, and it will continue to take time to get all of the roads cleared.

6. Economic Development & Community Planner Report:

McConnell reported she sent one new TIF application to the council members for their review. She also stated she will be meeting with officials later this week to discuss the design of new signage, as well as the tourism brochures.

7. City Engineer Report:

Connor reported the 2024 MFT expenditures have been completed. He also said the Broad Street and Fairground Avenue projects remain at IDOT in the environmental review.

8. Public Comment:

Terri Casey, co-owner of the Corner Block Building, presented the council with an update on the progress that has been made on their building. She reported the first and second floor shoring walls have been completed, and they are working on clearing debris from the third floor. She also stated construction of the third floor shoring wall is under contract.

James Brumberlow addressed the council stating he would like to see donations being given for the Corner Block Building.

9. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1812 an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the City of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $12,000,000 for the Purpose of Financing the Costs of Various Capital Improvements within the City and Paying for Costs Related Thereto: Ward stated this ordinance would give the City the ability to issue bonds in order to borrow money to help fund the pool project. He stated this is a formality and starts the process. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1812. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

10. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1813 Vacating a Never-Developed Alley Running East and West Between Parcel ID # 16-12-104-019 and 16-12-107-001: Butler stated this alley is located north of the Hillsboro Methodist Church. He said most of the alley would be given to the church, with a small portion on the east side going to Tommy Justison, who owns an adjacent property. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1813. Justison abstains. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Resolution No. 2025-01 a Resolution Approving the Release of Certain Closed Session Minutes of the City Council of the City of Hillsboro: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to adopt Resolution 2025-01. Motion carried with a 5- 0 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Resolution No. 2025-02 a Resolution Awarding a Proposal Under the Municipal Design-Build Authorization Act for Replacement of the Central Park Pool: Butler reported two companies submitted proposals for the design and construction of the Central Park Pool Project: Westport Pools and Capri Pools. His recommendation was to proceed with Capri Pools, adding their score from the RFP tallied about 11 points higher than Westport’s. He said both companies submitted good proposals and had great presentations. Motion by Justison and second by Butler to adopt Resolution No. 2025-02 awarding the Hillsboro Municipal Pool Project to Capri Pools. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion / Action – Pay Application #5 to MB Construction, LLC for Work Completed on Lead Service Line Replacement Project: Wright reported this is a progress payment for the Lead Service Line Replacement project in the amount of $56,475. She said the bulk of the work that remains is cleanup, and there’s approximately $65,000 left to pay. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve pay application #5 in the amount of $56,475 to MB Construction, LLC for work completed on the Lead Service Line Replacement Project. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

14. Discussion / Action – Proposal from GTSI for Equipment Installation for Truck and De-wiring of Suburban for City of Hillsboro Fire Department: Justison reported these proposals from GTSI are for the equipment for the new fire department truck for a cost of $6,633.81, as well as the de-wiring of the old Suburban for $299. Motion by Justison and second by Wright to approve the proposals from GTSI for the installation of new equipment and de-wiring of fire department vehicles for a total amount of $6,932.81. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion / Action – Estimate from Jorn Sign Company for Lettering and Striping of New Truck for Fire Department: Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the proposal from Jorn Sign Company for the striping and lettering of the new fire department truck for a cost of $900. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

16. Discussion / Action – Proposal for Electrical Work to be Completed at the Challacombe House: Butler reported the City received two estimates for electrical work at the Challacombe House, and his recommendation is to approve the one from Laughlin Electric at a cost of $4,900. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to approve the proposal from Laughlin Electric for electrical work to be completed at the Challacombe House for a cost of $4,900. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

17. Discussion – City-Owned Real Estate Currently Leased by DC Waste & Recycling: Butler reported he spoke with DC Waste and Recycling Owner Brian Deming about a year ago regarding the City taking back possession of the old County Recycling building. He said if the City possesses that building, it could house the public properties department and Youth Sports Administrator Billy Christian. He said the City would not take back possession until closer to summer, and it would be after DC Waste has found a different place to collect recycling.

18. Discussion / Action – Adjourn: Motion by Justison and second by Butler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

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