Hillsboro City Council Meeting

November 8, 2005

 

Mayor Baran called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

 

Roll call was taken and those present were Mayor Baran and Commissioners Richmond, McCammack and Hill.

 

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill at 7:02 to go into closed session to discuss contract negotiations with AmerenIP.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Mayor Baran reopened the regular meeting at 7:34.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner McCammack to approve the contract with Ameren IP amounting to a 4.75 million dollar package.  The agreement includes the transfer of the present water plant property to Ameren IP after completion of a new water plant.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Mayor Baran read a press release to the audience concerning the agreement that had just been reached.  Baran next thanked the City Council, Ron Pate of Ameren IP, City Attorney’s Jarman and Livingston for all of their work in reaching this agreement.

 

Mayor and Commissioners reports;

 

Commissioner Hill reported the campground is now closed for the season.

 

Commissioner Richmond reported the Fire Department will be flow testing hydrants beginning November 21st.   Richmond also informed the Council of a canvas cover on the snorkel truck that was in need of emergency replacement at a cost of $1100.00.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve the emergency expenditure of $1100.00 to replace a canvas on the Fire Departments snorkel truck.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Commissioner Richmond reported for the Police Department that in October they addressed 15 accidents, 4 warrant arrests, 14 verbal warnings, 8 written warnings, 13 city ordinance violations, 23 traffic citations and 8 non-traffic citations.   Commissioner Richmond also reminded everyone that the intersection of School and Main Street will be closed from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on November 11 for the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park.  Traffic will be detoured during this time period.

 

Commissioner Richmond also presented the Council with a draft loitering ordinance for their review and input.

 

Commissioner Richmond also informed the Council that 5 people throwing eggs over Halloween have been caught and fined.

 

Commissioner McCammack reported that he along with Roger Fath, Dave Booher and Scott Hunt would be traveling to Mattoon on November 15th to visit their new water treatment plant, which Hillsboro’s will be similar to.  This visit will help to decide some of the final plant layout schemes.

 

McCammack also announced dates beginning on November 14th for a City wide leaf pickup.  McCammack also announced their will be a fall cleanup beginning the week of November 28th through December 3rd in which City residents may take items to the Street Department to be placed in receptacles.

 

 Commissioner Richmond took this time to remind everyone that burning in the streets is against the law and those caught will be fined.

 

Mayor Baran announced he would be attending a meeting this Thursday with I.D.O.T. concerning the proposed rail spur north of Hixson Lumber.

 

City Treasure McCoy asked for approval to pay this months bills, which were unusually high due to insurance premiums and the IEPA loan payment for the new water tower.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to pay bills in the amount of $319,403.93.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

City Attorney Jarman reported the Tretter property on Seward Street has been removed and there is good progress being made on the Rader property.  The owner of the property on 1302 South Main has been served a summons concerning the nuisance abatements that need addressed.  The large tree on the Seamon property on Wood Street is being removed.

 

Mayor Baran reported for City engineer Hunt that Scott is working with Jean Pollus to complete the low to moderate-income survey needed to apply for a CDAP grant.  An agreement has been reached with Schram City to help them complete their survey and meetings are scheduled with Taylor Springs and Coffeen to get theirs completed.

 

Mayor Baran presented the Council with a request from the Lynches for a liquor license for the new sports bar they intend to open in the former Salvatorre’s Pizza building.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve a Class E liquor license for the Lynch family sports bar (Bleachers Family Sports Bar & Grill).  Motion carried 4-0.

 

The Council decided not to bid at public auction on a man-lift.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to replace the back door to the Police Department at a cost not to exceed $3000.00.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

The next item on the agenda addressed the lease of Challacombe mineral rights.  Attorney Jarman stated that the contract was still being written and should be ready for approval at the next meeting.

 

Commissioner Richmond asked the City attorney to amend the present ordinance concerning curfew hours at Edison Park to allow for viewing of the Veterans Memorial 24/7.  This should be ready for approval at the next meeting.

 

Commissioner Richmond also asked the public for input on a possible name change for Edison Park that would conform more to the new memorial.

 

Council discussion of upcoming agenda items; amending ordinance for Edison Park curfew, loitering ordinance and a Challacombe mineral rights agreement.

 

Commissioner Richmond informed the Council of a need to go into closed session to discuss a personnel problem.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner McCammack at 8:10 pm to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:52 pm.

 

Motion to adjourn was made at 8:54 by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dave Booher, City Clerk