Hillsboro City Council Meeting
May 10, 2005
Mayor Baran called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll call was taken and those present were Mayor Baran and Commissioners Trost, Richmond, McCammack and Hill.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Commissioners and Mayors Reports
Commissioner Hill reported her department has been very busy with mowing and getting the pool ready. Plans are to have the pool open for Memorial weekend. Merle’s Family Fun Center will be having a “grand opening” on Saturday the 14th from 5 pm till closing.
Plans are to again open the restrooms at the north marina, but if they are vandalized again this year they will be locked and remain closed. Commissioner Hill also commented on the request from Gene Knisley as to permission to add on to the west side of his bowling alley. Hill had no problem with the request and Mayor Baran stated he would pass the request on to the Zoning Board.
Commissioner Richmond reported the Fire Department’s new dispatching area is nearly done.
Commissioner Richmond reported for the Police Department that for the month of April they have handled 19 accidents and made 8 warrant arrests. There were 24 verbal warnings, 36 written warnings, 5 city ordinances, 1 parking citation, 47 traffic citations, 16 non-traffic and 29 case reports.
Commissioner Richmond reported for the Code Enforcement Division that 2 vehicles have been towed. After a hearing on a property on Virginia Street (Lohr) the property is being cleaned up and is making substantial improvements. Six yards have come into compliance with verbal notices. The City attorney has been given 2 properties to locate the owners and serves them with abatement notices. One non-compliance vehicle on Springfield Road had been given a 30-day extension to try and sell it. Three vehicles have complied with notices issued. Two abatement notices for grass and weeds are now in compliance. Fifteen building permits have been issued this month for various structures.
Commissioner Trost reported that he still needed budgets submitted by the departments and cuts need to be made to offset additional mandated expenses for the coming year.
Commissioner McCammack reported the spring cleanup went well this year and may be instituted again in the fall. The street department has been patching roads and repairing culverts.
Commissioner Richmond thanked Commissioner McCammack and his Street Department for the use of their facility as a classroom youth hunting safety course.
Mayor Baran discussed the recent concerns with a commercial truck operator who thought the City Police Department was targeting him and his business. Mayor Baran informed everyone that he had looked into the allegations and found them unwarranted. The individual was given warning and given a time frame to comply and chose not to; therefore he was given a citation. Mayor Baran stated we all expect safe vehicles and the Police Department will enforce those laws to see that is accomplished.
Mayor Baran next discussed the prospect of renewed interest in mineral leases involving the Challacombe estate. The City Attorney will meet with other vested parties to see what can be done to get revenues coming back into the community.
Motion was made by Commissioner Trost and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $207,418.23. Motion carried 5-0.
City Attorney Jarman reported he had made contact with most of the other major entities involved in the Challacombe estate and expects details of a first proposal soon. Jarman also informed the Council there is an abatement hearing scheduled for May 13th at 3:00 pm concerning the Roleda Peiffer property.
City Engineer Scott Hunt stated he expects to have the MFT contract back from Delaurent involving the Tremont Street project soon and would forward this on to I.D.O.T. for their approval. Work will not begin until after school is out.
Commissioner Richmond asked Engineer Hunt about the bad area of paint on the new water tower. Hunt stated he had contacted the contractors who did the painting and they would be checking on the problem.
Commissioner Hill introduced the new campground hosts to the audience and Council. Hill then informed the Council of a problem that has been escalating at the campground and she had introduced rules to abate these and any future problems. Most of these problems were labeled as “urban sprawl” people expecting more than what is entitled to them at their campsites. Any requests for rock would be first given to the campground hosts and then given to her. Commissioner Hill also clarified to the audience that she has never said no to electric wheel chairs or to the planting of flowers.
Motion was made by Commissioner Trost and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to resign the employees’ group insurance contract with CMS. Motion carried 5-0. This year’s increase was only 4%.
Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost to accept the resignation of Rodney Shipman from the Volunteer Fire Department. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner McCammack to approve the appointment of Matt Weiss to the Auxiliary Fire Department. Motion carried 5-0.
Nancy Slepicka was present to read a letter of thanks to all involved from the director of this years Roubaix bike race and present a check for $500.00. They would like to see the money used at the skate park. This year’s attendance again set a record and would again be voted the best venue for racing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hill and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve the University of Illinois Extension office’s request to host a fishing derby at the Old Lake on June 18th of this year. Motion carried 5-0.
Upcoming agenda items;
Commissioner Hill stated she would like to place a request on the next agenda to install a sign commemorating Hillsboro as the hometown of Matt Hughes world champion in Ultimate Fighting.
Mayor Baran reminded everyone that if they have a problem they need to go to departmental supervisors first then the Commissioner of that department and finally himself.
Mayor Baran also thanked all those involved in this past weeks litter cleanup on Seymour and Smith Road. Baran stated this could become an annual event and encouraged all citizens to report any littering.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Booher, City Clerk