HILLSBRORO CITY COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTERMBER 27, 2005

 

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

 

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

 

Commissioner Hill reported that this is the time of the year when most people are closing up their lake lots for the season.  Lot holders need to remember to clean up their lots and secure all items that could be blown away or flooded before next spring.

 

Mayor Baran informed everyone of a Safety Award the City of Hillsboro received at this year’s Municipal League Conference.  Mayor Baran thanked all the Commissioners, Supervisors and employees that made this possible.  Mayor Baran also stated that the Conference included information on how to effectively abate nuisance properties.

 

City Attorney Jarman presented the Council with a progress report on all pending matters.  Jarman also stated there would be a status hearing on October 21st concerning the former Rader Lumber property.  The Tretter property on Seward Street had been granted a condemnation order by the Courts and the owners have until October 6th to remove personal property.

 

City Engineer Hunt reported that the inspections of the dams had been completed, and they recommend cleaning the debris from the overflow on Structure 5.

 

Mayor Baran informed the group that he was moving a couple of agenda items to the top of the list.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost at 7:07 p.m. to go into closed executive session to discuss pending litigation matters.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Mayor Baran reconvened the regular meeting at 7:55 p.m.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to table the agenda item addressing any decision concerning the negotiations with Ameren I.P.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Mayor Baran presented a letter to the citizens of Hillsboro explaining the Council’s decision on the technology to be used in constructing a new water treatment plant for the present and the future.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner McCammack and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve Mayor Baran’s letter informing the community as to the City’s reasoning in technology for a new treatment plant.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner McCammack and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve Hurst & Rosche to prepare the final design of the new water treatment plant.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost to table any decision on relocation of the sewer line at the present water treatment plant.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner McCammack informed the Council and audience of possible future changes concerning the collection of past due water accounts.  McCammack listed three possibilities, one raise the deposit from $100 to $150, second send late notices preferably monthly or if $100 in arrears and thirdly if door hangers must be sent out a $5 surcharge would be added to the bill.  McCammack stated he would also like to see delinquent accounts reported to the credit bureau.  McCammack hoped to have a recommendation prepared for the next Council meeting.

 

Commissioner Hill discussed changes she would like to make at Glenn Shoals Lake and prefaced them by giving a brief history of the lake and a synopsis of the 3 major problems at the lake.  The problems being sedimentation, excess nutrients loss of recreational usage and aesthetics.  There have been as many as 20 ways recommended to help with these problems and her goal was to begin with the ones that cost very little money.  The first way would be to define a ski area that would be rip rapped as much as possible and located away from housing developments.  Buoys would also be placed to designate “no wake areas”.  The third recommendation was to keep all the land surrounding the lake in its natural state.  Another way to help protect the lakes and safety of others would be to limit boat size on the lake.  Lake Officer Booher explained that he was recommending limiting boat size to 26 feet.  Present boat owners with larger craft would be grand fathered in until such time as they purchase a new one, they would then comply with the 26-foot regulation.  Booher emphasized all these changes are not set in stone and welcomed any input from the public.

 

Mayor Baran recognized Diane Reynolds who asked to speak concerning the proposed ski area.  Mrs. Reynolds stated the area was larger than she had originally heard. She was concerned with the amount of turning radius at the North end of the area for safety reasons and the proximity to Irving arm, which is a no wake area.  Mrs. Reynolds felt like boats could not be up to speed before entering the ski area. 

 

Mayor Baran asked Diane and Ron Reynolds to meet with Commissioner Hill to discuss any concerns with the tentative new regulations.

 

John Ragen was present to inform the Council of the noise problems on Glenn Shoals Lake in his opinion people are circumventing the “Captain’s Switch” and allowing the boat to exhaust above the water line.  Ragen asked that the Council research the ordinance to eliminate this loop hole.

 

Bob Frazier was present to inform the Council of a problem with spiders at the Marina.  Mayor Baran informed him that we would have our people find a pesticide that is usable around a public water supply to combat the problem.

 

Commissioner Trost informed the Council of request from Jeff Chandler of Pizza Man for a revolving fund loan.  Trost informed the Council that the review committee has looked at the application and recommended approval of the loan.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Trost and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve a loan request from Chandler Brothers Incorporated “Pizza Man” for a Revolving Fund Loan in the amount of $20,000.00 at terms of 4% and 10 years.  The note will include a personal guarantee from the Chandlers’.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Commissioner McCammack informed the Council that he would like to hire a person in the Street Department to replace Carl Miller who retired in March.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner McCammack and seconded by Commissioner Hill to begin interviewing for an employee for the street department.  The successful candidate will begin working for the Street Department as soon as possible.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve Ordinance 1417 vacating an alley at the North end of Fairmont Place.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost to adopt Ordinance 1418 vacating an alley between Oak and Jefferson and South of Summer Street.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

The Council had before them a bid on the demolition and hauling away of the Tretter property on Seward Street.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner McCammack to accept the bid of E G Construction to demolish the Tretter property at 811 Seward Street.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Hill and seconded by Commissioner Richmond to approve the High Schools request for a Homecoming parade and use of the Plaza on October 14th.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve October 30th and 31st as evenings for trick or treating, with times being from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Upcoming Agenda Items; dress in costume for last meeting in October, new canine officer and dog, delinquent accounts, and new city hall.

 

Motion to adjourn was made at 8:37 p.m. by Commissioner Richmond and seconded by Commissioner Trost.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dave Booher, City Clerk