Hillsboro City Council Meeting

October 11, 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, Hill and McCammack.

 

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

 

Commissioners and Mayors reports:

 

Commissioner Hill reported the skate park is now open and the campground is winding down.  There will be a haunted hayride October 21 and 22 at the Lake Park along with free hotdogs on the 22nd.  There will be a public meeting concerning new rule changes at Glenn Shoals Lake at City Hall October 18th at 6:30 pm.

 

Commissioner Richmond gave the Code Enforcement Officer report.  Last month there were 2 vehicles towed, worked tearing down property on Mechanic Street, there is court hearing October 21st concerning the Summers property and a property on Wood Street.  The Tretter property on Seward Street will be demolished as soon as possible; there is also talk of condemning another property on Seward Street.

 

Commissioner Richmond reported for the Police Department that in the last month they have responded to 21 accident calls, there were 14 verbal warnings issued, 22 written warnings, 23 traffic citations and 5 non-traffic citations.  The department is also looking for people in a 10 mile radius of the City that are interested in joining the Auxiliary Police Department.

 

Commissioner Hill also informed the group that a forester was to be a Central Park on Wednesday at 11:00 am to demonstrate how to plant and prune trees.  Three trees will be donated to the City during this program. 

 

Commissioner Trost announced that he and Damon Leisure had been working on 100% FEMA grant for fire education.

 

Mayor Baran mentioned that Street Superintendent Robinson would be having surgery this week.  The pole supporting the emergency siren was being relocated in the area of the War Memorial and during the process found the pole was rotten and would be replaced with a new one.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Trost and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve the payment of this months bills in the amount of $160,819.44.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

City Attorney Jarman reported on prospective changes in the water collections ordinance and procedures.  The deposit would be raised from $100 to $150 and notices would be sent out by first class mail instead of door hangers notifying the occupant of disconnection.  Commissioner McCammack also noted that the renter and property owner would both be notified when an account is 2 months past due or in arrears in excess of $100.00.

 

City Engineer Hunt noted that a CDAP grant application is due by January 10, 2006 and we need to try and get approval for a random income survey.  Satellite systems that get water from the City should supply us with any recent grant surveys they have completed.  Mayor Baran stated he would contact the respective Mayors and try to get copies of their surveys.  Hunt also noted that soil borings for the new water treatment site will be completed this week and the dam inspections have been submitted to the State.  Hunt stated work is being conducted to ascertain the City property lines at the old treatment plant.  Hunt also reminded the Council that survey work on Welch Street has been completed and asked if there was anything else the City needed concerning that project. 

 

Commissioner McCammack stated that there would need to be some changes concerning the center width of the road at the Welch and Ash Street curve.  Before these changes can be completed McCammack asked Attorney Jarman to draw up an easement involving the Joe Rapp property located at the corner of Welch and Ash Street.

 

Kyle Putnam of Patton & Company presented the Council with this years audit report.  The Council was informed this year’s audit looks a little different from those in past years due to new Government Accounting Standards Boards (GASB) requirements.  All of the City’s assets had to be listed and depreciations addressed.  It was reported that overall the City is financially sound, but needs to be closely watched due to annual increases in utilities and chemical and insurance costs. 

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost to accept the audit report of Patton & Company.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Attorney Jarman explained to the Council that negotiations are close to a settlement concerning the mineral rights for the Challacombe estate in Texas.  Jarman hoped to present the Council with an agreement for their approval at the next meeting.

 

Dave Booher, Chairman of the Glenn Shoals and Lake Hillsboro Resource Planning Committee presented the Council with the Committee’s final report on problems and alternative solutions concerning Glenn Shoals Lake.

 

Roy Thomas suggested some options the City might employee to help fund any lake restoration projects on Glenn Shoals.  These involved using lease fees, boat registrations, citations and the additional 20% TIF tax the City will be receiving. 

 

Commissioner Richmond informed the Council that in the near future one of the Departments K9 dogs will need to be retired and he would like to begin plans for the K9’s replacement.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve the purchase of a new K9 in the Police Department at a cost not to exceed $6,000.00.  The purchase would probably take place in January with a training class for dog and handler in March.  The purchase would come from the School Resource Fund and the Police Department Rural Fund.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Barb Greenwood of the animal shelter committee was present to discuss the use of the funds that have been donated to build an animal shelter.  Ms. Greenwood acknowledged the fact that a shelter would probably never be built, but would like the opportunity to use the funds for animal care.  The Council agreed the funds are not included in the City’s financial accounts therefore they belong to the Animal Shelter Committee.  Mayor Baran thought it would be a good idea if Commissioner Richmond were to approve any expenditure from the account so as to accomplish a system of checks and balances.  It was decided that Ms. Greenwood, Commissioner Richmond, Treasurer McCoy and Attorney Jarman should meet and bring back to the Council an expenditure plan for approval.

 

Commissioner Richmond began a discussion concerning the need for security cameras at the Memorial Park and the skate park.  The War Memorial Committee has already approved the purchase of cameras for that facility.  Footage from these cameras would be available to web users and stored on a computer for review later if need be.  Commissioner McCammack stated he would like to see this also used at the North Marina if and when available. 

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Hill and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve the City’s share of security cameras for the skate park and pool area in the amount not to exceed $5000.00.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve a Halloween Parade on October 31st for 6:00 to 6:30 pm on Main Street beginning at Bank of America.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

An agreement with AmerenIP was tabled until a later date while contract language is being finalized.

 

Upcoming Agenda Items;

 

Approve the use of Animal Shelter Funds by the Shelter Committee, changes in delinquent water collections ordinance and City Hall improvements.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dave Booher, City Clerk