Staff writer
Hillsboro City Council approved a proposal from Pro-Seal Inc. of El Dorado for $15,474 at the Sept. 16 meeting which will re-seal concrete streets at Hillsboro Heights and re-oil the downtown district.
City administrator Larry Paine suggested the council approve the project so the existing cracks on the street that leads to the city’s business park would not deteriorate any further.
By rejuvenating the city’s Main Street, the asphalt surface will last longer.
Councilman Shane Marler asked if re-oiling the streets in the downtown district would impact local businesses. Paine said the process would be done only one time, preferably on a Saturday or Sunday. Mayor Delores Dalke asked if the project should be done during warmer weather rather than planned in the fall when the weather could turn cooler. Paine said the work could be done with temperatures in the low 50s.
In other business:
- The council approved a payment of $34,540 for improvements at Salem Home. The long-term care facility received a six-month provisional license to meet the state’s inspection requirements which included improvements to a shower area and new floor covering.
- Parking issues at C and Adams streets continue to cause headaches. Councilman Byron McCarty said he has received complaints about vehicles being parked too close to driveways or directly across from the driveways, making it difficult for residents to drive in or back from their properties. Marler agreed and suggested the city paint yellow lines on both sides of the street.
- A resolution was not approved by the council as requested by Marion County Commission in support of the county’s strategic plan. Dalke said she didn’t believe Hillsboro qualified for the benefits of the plan since the city’s population is more than 2,500. She also was not in favor of waiving commercial building permits which is a requirement to participate in the plan. The council did pass the motion to notify the county that council does support the plan but not the resolution.
- Consulting engineer Bob Privatera reported that a pre-construction meeting for improvements at the city’s airport was held with the project beginning Oct. 17. The contractors will have 45 days to complete the project.
- The council will discuss requirements regarding city employees to live within the city limits.
- Two work sessions are planned with the first being at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) to discuss a proposed increase of 23 percent from Blue Cross/Blue Shield for employees’ health insurance. Following that topic, the council will discuss proposals from financial advisers to assist with the development of Hillsboro Business Park. The second work session will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday to discuss an economic development incentive policy, the engineering report regarding the AMPI building, and an executive session for personnel to evaluate Paine.
- The next regular council meeting is at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at city hall.