Staff writer
Hillsboro City Council members discussed moving the Hillsboro Farmers Market venue from the Schaeffler House grounds to the city park again Tuesday at their regular meeting, but postponed a decision for two weeks.
“Can we keep it on the burner for a bit yet to see how fast the sod comes in and how quickly things progress?” Mayor Delores Dalke asked.
Mary Regier and Willie Ensz from the museum board attended the meeting to answer questions and hear discussion on the issue. The museum board previously recommended the council move the farmers market, which begins in May, to the Memorial Park where there was more parking, better facilities, playground equipment, as well as ground not in new-grass transition.
City Administrator Larry Paine shared that Hillsboro Farmers Market organizer Joni Calam indicated that the Lutheran Church nearby was willing to share lawn space if needed, until the Schaeffler House grounds were available.
“To me the grass issue is not that big of a deal,” Paine said. “It has a lot to do with how tightly you lay the sod as to when you can use it.”
Council member Shelby Dirks indicated it would be nice to keep the location close to or the same as previous years for marketability reasons.
The council tabled the issue until the April 17 meeting for a final decision.
Street project payments
Council members approved street construction payments to Vogt’s-Parga for work completed on A Street from Main Street to Washington.
“A Street seems to be an impressive piece of work right now,” Paine said.
He said work on the Adams Street project began in earnest on Tuesday and might be completed by mid-May. The First Street project is still in a holding pattern to allow Community Block Development Grant money to follow due process and pay for that part of the project.
Library board members
Library board appointments recommended by Dalke and approved by the council included the reappointment of Stephen Vincent and Ruby Hilt and the addition of Ruth Hamm to fill an unexpired term of Shelly Plett, who resigned.
Code enforcements
Paine told members that City Building Inspector Ben Steketee was out working on enforcing city codes, starting with properties on Grand and Ash streets.
“He is talking to residents about tall grass and other issues that are not in accordance with city codes,” Paine said. “It’s just one of those things we have to do.”
The next council meeting is April 17.