Hillsboro City Council Meeting

November 22, 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.

 

Mayor and Commissioners reports;

 

Commissioner Hill reported the Santa House is up and running and thanks to Hillsboro Electric the Christmas lighting on Main Street has been completed.  Restrooms are being installed at the Park office.

 

Commissioner Richmond stated hydrants would be tested next week instead of this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

Commissioner Trost recommended giving the City employees the same Christmas bonus as last year.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Trost and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to give full time City employees a $75 Christmas bonus and $50.00 to part-time City employees.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner McCammack reported on touring the Mattoon water treatment plant which our new plant will be patterned after.  McCammack also reminded everyone of the fall cleanup next week where City residents can take unwanted items to the Street Department to be placed in dumpsters.

 

Mayor Baran reported progress is being made in securing a grant for a rail siding North of Hixson Lumber.  Baran also reported the IEPA will be doing testing on the Eagle Zinc property at no charge and the City may be able to use a portion of the property to drain off backwash water from the new treatment plant.  Mayor Baran then read a letter from Attorney Penni Livingston thanking the City for the opportunity to work with them in completing a contract agreement with Ameren IP involving the existing and new water treatment plant.

 

Commissioner McCammack next read a letter complimenting the Mayor for the agreement reached with Ameren IP and the work that the Mayor put into negotiating the settlement.

 

Mayor Baran recognized Butler Mayor, Don Boliard, who was present to ask the City for a commitment on accepting Butler’s sewage and the cost of treating it. 

 

Mayor Baran stated this was not on the agenda but he would schedule a special meeting for Monday November 28th at noon to approve a contract with Butler.

 

City Attorney Jarman stated he was working on completing the necessary documentation to finalize the Ameren IP contract with the City.  A survey of the property was prepared by Hurst & Rosche Engineers.  Jarman stated the mineral rights lease for the Challacombe estate should be ready for approval at the next Council meeting.

 

Mayor Baran addressed a contract renewal and amendments he had been given from the Montgomery County Rural Water Company.  Mayor Baran felt that there should be a meeting with the Water Company, himself, Commissioner McCammack and Attorney Jarman before the agreement could be signed.

 

City Engineer Hunt reported that the City has received approval to do a random low to moderate income survey to be included in their CDAP grant application.  Hunt stated there needs to be a meeting with himself, Jean Polus and Jack Stewart to begin work on the grant application process.  Hunt also intends to meet with Water Superintendent Fath and Commissioner McCammack to discuss chemical feeds at the new treatment plant.  This will enable him to make a budget estimate and building size estimate.

 

Commissioner McCammack noted it was time to once again renew the NPDS permit for the wastewater treatment plant and the application needs the expertise of an engineer.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner McCammack and seconded by Commissioner Trost to instruct Hurst & Rosche Engineering to submit a contract proposal for completing the NPDS application for the wastewater plant.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Sam Whitlow addressed the Council with a request to begin planning for a Christmas lighting display in the Campground for next year.  This would be a drive through display and civic groups or clubs could donate displays or money for the project.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Hill and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to allow Sam Whitlow to make plans for a drive through Christmas lighting display.  The display is to be located in the campground and open from Thanksgiving to the end of December.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost to adopt Ordinance 1421 repealing the curfew in Edison Park.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

There was a brief discussion on the proposed changes to the loitering ordinance and it was decided Commissioner Richmond and City Attorney Jarman would review the present ordinance and have a recommendation at the January meeting.

 

Upcoming Agenda Items;

 

Tax levy, lease assignment at Lakewood Estates, and cancellation of the second meeting in December.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dave Booher, City Clerk