South Central Reporter

City of Hillsboro City Council met May 20.

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, Patrick Ward and Kendra Wright

Absent: Commissioner Tommy Justison

Also Present: Community Planner Sarah McConnell

City Attorney Chris Sherer

Deputy Police Chief Tim Hopper

3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. Public Comment: Butch Mikeska addressed the council regarding flags on City-owned property. He said he finds it offensive that they are not allowed to fly flags at the campground and lake lots over the holiday weekend. He said his father owned the property before it was taken by the City, and his father fought in World War II, and the City’s decision is disgraceful. He said Monday is Memorial Day and the council still has not made any changes. Mikeska said the 4th of July is coming up and he wants to see action taken, adding that he has heard the council is looking into it but no action is being taken. He stated he wants to know what the council is going to do, and they should not punish everyone because of the few who were the issue. He said they should be able to show their patriotism, but they are being suppressed.

5. Approval of Minutes of May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting: It was noted that Alex Nazarian’s name was spelled wrong in the minutes, adding the ‘n’ was left off the end of his last name. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2025 regular meeting with the revisions stated. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

6. Mayor and Commissioners’ Departmental Reports:

Mayor Downs addressed concerns raised about flags during public comment. He stated the council members have expressed that they all hate the situation, and they are hopeful for a solution.

Commissioner Butler presented the reports for the Public Properties and Street Departments. He thanked everyone for their help with the storm cleanup, including IDOT and Ameren.

Commissioner Wright presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Departments. She reported the water meter at the car wash was fixed, and MB Construction has been finishing up their work on the lead service line replacement project. She also reported Plocher Construction will be mobilizing equipment to the site of the new sewer plant. She stated the City applied for funding through Congresswoman Mary Miller’s office for the plant. She also reported on an issue of graffiti, encouraging citizens to keep an eye out for this kind of behavior.

Commissioner Ward reported the approving the annual budget and paying bills for the month were both on the agenda.

7. Economic Development & Community Planner Report:

McConnell presented the economic development and community planner report to the council. She reported there is a TIF ordinance on the agenda related to the new proposed TIF district

8. City Engineer Report:

City Engineer Jeremy Connor was absent. Butler stated he spoke with Connor about IDOT funding.

9. Discussion / Action – Imagine Hillsboro Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, July 12th at 4th of July Point: Imagine Hillsboro Cardboard Boat Regatta organizer Zach Wygal stated the event is the same as it’s been for several years, and the auxiliary police have not been needed. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve the Cardboard Boat Regatta for Saturday, July 12th at 4th of July Point. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

10. Discussion / Action – Close Wood Street for Downtown Concert on August 1, 2025 Hosted by Imagine Hillsboro: Wygal stated the concert will be held August 1st, and they would like to close the street at 6 p.m. which is the same time Sullivan’s closes. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve closing Wood Street on August 1, 2025 for the Imagine Hillsboro Downtown Concert. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

11. Discussion / Action – Old Settlers Activities August 3rd, 6th & 7th; Closing Main Street from Tillson Street up to and including the Courthouse Square from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 3rd and from 5 p.m. August 5th through August 8th: Wright stated she would like to see less of Seward Street closed. Old Settlers Representative Rod Stewart said they may need that space. Motion by Butler and second by Ward 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 3rd, and from 5 p.m. August 5th through August 8th. Wright abstains. Motion carried with a 3-0-1 vote in favor.

12. Discussion / Action – Paying Bills for the Month of May 2025: Ward reported bills for the month totaled $526,395.57. He said the Ameren bills were higher due to mail issues. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve paying bills for the month of May in the amount of $526,395.57. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

13. Discussion / Action – 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the City of Hillsboro: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to approve the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the City of Hillsboro. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

14. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1822 Annual Appropriation Ordinance of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2026: Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1822. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

15. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1822-A an Ordinance Authorizing City Expenditures Pending and Preceding Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance: Because the appropriation ordinance was approved, this ordinance was not necessary and this item was pulled from the agenda. No action was taken.

16. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1823 an Ordinance Amending Section 38-3-5 and Section 38-3-18 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Regarding Maintenance and Repair of Water Service Lines: Wright reported this is a correction of the City Code due to December 2021 changes that were not transferred to the code correctly. Motion by Ward and second by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 1823. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

17. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1824 an Ordinance Amending Section 38-4-26(C) of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois and Removing Adjustments to Consumption for Filling a Swimming Pool: Wright reported this removes the swimming pool consumption portion from the Code. She stated the adjustments are not worth the water clerk’s time. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to adopt Ordinance No. 1824. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

18. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1825 an Ordinance of the City of Hillsboro, Illinois Authorizing the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties” Registries and Adopting Registration Rules for These Registries: Jared Kanallakan from Moran Economic Development addressed the council and explained the “interested parties” ordinance. He stated the feasibility study and draft plan must be on file and available to interested parties. He encouraged the council to look over the plan and make any changes needed at the next meeting. Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adopt Ordinance No. 1825. Wright abstains. Motion carried with a 3-0-1 vote in favor.

19. Discussion / Action – Ordinance No. 1826 an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Revenue Bonds of the City of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois: Ward suggested tabling this item due to a lack of information. Motion by Butler and second by Ward to table this item. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

20. Discussion / Action – Façade Improvement Grant application from Historic Red Rooster LLC for Work to be Completed at 123 E. Seward St.: No action was taken on this item.

21. Discussion / Action – Pay Application #6 to MB Construction, LLC for Work Completed on the Lead Service Line Replacement Project: Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve pay application #6 in the amount of $118,255.90 to MB Construction, LLC for work completed on the Lead Service Line Replacement project. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

22. Discussion / Action – Memorandum of Agreement Between REACH Strategies, Ameren Illinois and the City of Hillsboro: Wright reported she has been having meetings with Ameren for several months, and the City will receive a $50,000 grant from Ameren for whatever the City wants, noting the plan to install charging stations for electric vehicles. She said this memorandum allows the City to move forward. Motion by Wright and second by Ward to approve the Memorandum of Agreement Between REACH Strategies, Ameren Illinois and the City of Hillsboro. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

23. Discussion / Action – Amendment to Design-Build Contract Between the City of Hillsboro and Contegra Construction Company LLC: Butler reported this is the second part of the contract for the new pool. He said they need to discuss a payment plan. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve the amendment to the Design-Build Contract between the City of Hillsboro and Contegra Construction Company LLC. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

24. Discussion / Action – Proposal from E&G Construction for Demolition of Central Park Pool: Butler stated he did not know the rules regarding painted concrete, and that it has to be disposed of in the landfill according to the EPA. He said business district funds will be used to pay this expense and get the old pool site cleaned up. Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve the proposal from E&G Construction for the demolition of Central Park Pool in the amount of $38,250. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

25. Discussion / Action – Invoices for Central Park Pool Demolition: Motion by Wright and second by Butler to approve the invoice from DC Waste in the amount of $5,046, and the invoice from Hillsboro Rental in the amount of $1,375 for the demolition of the Central Park Pool. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor.

26. Discussion – Temporary Tags for Non-Highway Vehicles: Butler stated the campers would like to purchase temporary golf cart tags for short-term stays. He said the tags would be for good for one week. No action was taken.

27. Discussion / Action – Adjourn: Motion by Ward and second by Butler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried with a 4-0 vote in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

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