South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met April 1.

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

Deputy Chief Tim Hopper

City Engineer Jeremy Connor

Water & Sewer Plant Manager Tim Ferguson

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Discussion – Proclamation Recognizing April as Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month: Mayor Downs read a proclamation recognizing April as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. TASC representative Lynn Sellers thanked the council for adopting the proclamation and for the recognition.

5. Public Comment: Greg Cowell opened public comment by singing to the council as part of his Stamp Out Cancer fundraiser. He sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Others who spoke during public comment were Dennis Loskot, Tommy Hapner, Jacob Longwell, Paul Manzer, Rod Stewart, John Kindernay and Jeremy Carron. They all spoke regarding the new lake lot and campground agreements, specifically the rules prohibiting the display of flags on City-owned property. Loskot stated the banning flags is against everything he stands for, and if the City is looking for a fight, he will not back down. Hapner stated he obtained a petition that included over 500 signatures opposing the rules to prohibit flags. He said he is not impressed with the flag ban, and asked if the Council understood what the phrase “United we stand” stood for. He said he believes veterans will not want to visit places like Hillsboro who implement these rules. He also said prohibiting the flags has ruined the experience for children who enjoy seeing the flags displayed at places like the campground. Longwell stated there are many veterans in the area, and this rule is extremely disrespectful to them. He stated the council members were elected to represent the citizens, and the town does not accept this. He said he does not like banning any flags, and he thinks this rule needs to change quickly. Manzer stated he is disappointed in the choice to ban flags, and that the council is stripping them of their freedoms. Stewart stated he has many family members who have served the country in the military, including multiple wars. He said the ban on the American flag is an insult to those who have served. He stated he will display the flag at his home, and dared anyone to come and take it. He added the council members were elected by the people, and they can be removed from those chairs in the next election. Kindernay stated his dad and uncles served in the military and all fought in wars, and he will fly the flag at his house. Carron said he had a site at the campground and he appreciates everyone who served in the military, even though he did not serve himself. He said he gave up his campsite.

6. Minutes of the March 18th, 2025 regular meeting were approved as presented. 7. Mayor and Commissioners’ Departmental Reports:

Mayor Downs read a letter that was given to the City from Ron and Florence Clark. The letter was a thank you to the City, specifically for clearing snow during the winter storms.

Commissioner Butler reported the Street Department has been doing a lot of potholing around town. He stated they also did some gutter work on Whippoorwill Drive. He also reported Public Properties Superintendent Jim May did a good job on the annual campground moving day. He also said, at the pool contractor’s suggestion, the council should consider giving a name to the new pool.

Commissioner Justison commended Police Chief Randy Leetham and Officer Frank Kenny for keeping people safe and aware of the issue of vehicles needing to stop for stop-arm activated school buses. He also reported there was a recent assault on a Hillsboro Police Officer, and he commended the other officers who responded to the incident.

Commissioner Wright reported a meeting was held today regarding Eutrofix, which would help the City with phosphorous management of both lakes. She also said the council will address the new sewer plant later in the meeting.

Commissioner Ward reported the council is looking at either the first meeting in May or having a special meeting later in April to vote on the budget. He said the City has to have the budget posted for 10 days prior to taking action on it.

8. Economic Development & Community Planner Report:

McConnell reported she has multiple projects that are waiting for finalization. 9. City Engineer Report:

Connor reported he had a productive conversation with IDOT regarding the Broad Street project. He stated it will still have to have another environmental review before it is approved.

10. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1819 an Ordinance Pursuant to Section 8-1-7(a) of the Illinois Municipal Code Authorizing the Planning and Financing of a Public Work: Butler stated this item can be pulled from the agenda. Motion by Butler and second by Justison to pull this item from the agenda. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Amount to Issue for General Obligation Bonds: Ward stated they are looking at $8.5 million for the cost of the pool. Butler said it would probably be less than that. He also said the annual maintenance cost could be anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000. Ward said, even if they do not spend all $8.5 million on the pool, the remaining money would be put into the capital improvement fund. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve issuing the general obligation bonds in the amount of $8,500,000. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Design-Build Base Contract Between the City of Hillsboro and Contegra Construction Company, LLC for the Hillsboro Municipal Pool Project: Butler reiterated that the pool will not cost more than $8.5 million, and they want to keep costs down. He said they won’t be able to afford a heater for the pool, so there was no need to run an expensive gas line. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the Design-Build Base Contract with Contegra Construction Company, LLC as presented. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1821 an Ordinance Approving a Certain Amendment to the City of Hillsboro Zoning Map: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to pull this item from the agenda. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

14. Discussion / Action – Renewing the Line of Credit for the City of Hillsboro: Ward reported the City has had a line of credit for years and has not had to use it. He said it is a lower interest rate because the City is tax exempt. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to approve renewing the $300,000 line of credit with Bank of Hillsboro. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion / Action – Façade Improvement Grant Application for Historic Red Rooster LLC for Work to be Completed at 123 E. Seward St.: Downs reported this item will have to be tabled until after the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Motion by Justison and second by Butler to table this item until the May 6th meeting. Wright abstains. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

16. Discussion / Action – Repair of Chemical Pump for the City of Hillsboro Water Treatment Plant: Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve repairing the chemical pump for the City of Hillsboro Water Treatment Plant from Litchfield Pump and Motor for a cost of $1,345. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

17. Discussion / Action – Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Plans: Wright stated the council needs to approve the modified scope and self-funding for the new wastewater treatment plant. She reported bids for the project came in higher than the loan and grant amounts awarded by the USDA. She said the amount that isn’t covered by the USDA will be paid for by the City. Project Manager Don Taul said Plocher Construction, who was previously awarded the bid, has already extended their bid for 30 days and the City is running out of time to proceed. Wright said there is about $3 million that will be funded by the City, but will not have to be paid for right away. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve the modified scope for Plocher Construction and Self-fund the remaining scope outside of the original USDA loan. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

18. Discussion / Action – Bituminous Mix and Oil and Chip Bids for the 2025 MFT Program: Butler reported the bids came in better than anticipated. Motion by Wright and second by Justison to accept the proposal from Litchfield Bituminous for Bituminous Materials and Seal Coat Agg for a cost of $107,065.75, and the proposal from Louis Marsch Inc. for Bituminous Mix and Premix for a cost of $30,700. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.

19. Discussion / Action – Proposal for 17th Avenue Culvert Replacement: Butler reported this will be paid for using Lake Restoration funds. He stated the City received two bids for the project, with the lowest coming in at $39,193. Motion by Butler and second by Wright to approve the proposal from Lentz Excavating and Trucking for a cost of $39,193. Justison abstained. Motion carried with a 4-0-1 vote in favor.

20. Discussion / Action – Adjourn: Motion by Justison and second by Wright to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

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