City receives proposal from HMB church
Proposal includes closing Washington Street
Staff reporter
Steve Garrett, city administrator for the City of Hillsboro, told the city council Tuesday of a proposal from Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church regarding reconstruction of a new church facility on the existing site.
Garrett said the proposal included closing the 100 block of Washington Street to accommodate necessary parking requirements.
Exploring their first option, the church's proposal serves as a way to collect information and facts regarding the possibilities. If closing the street is not an option, the church committee will look at the next option, Garrett said.
An ordinance from the council would be required to close the street.
The proposal and street closure issue will be discussed June 15 at the council's next meeting.
A change of attitude regarding running city amenities as a profitable business was a comment Garrett made to the council. With the possibility of a new swimming pool in the works in the coming years, Garrett told the council the pool will need to be marketed differently.
"We need to develop not only a new facility but a new mentality," Garrett said. "We can't go from the current pool to a new pool without changing our mentality. We need to provide services people are willing to pay for."
"As we update our amenities, we need to think differently about how we approach this," Garrett added. "It'll be a challenge."
Council member Matt Hiebert reiterated that there are no problems with the current pool.
"The life expectancy of this type of pool is 50 years," Hiebert said. "And we're at 50 years right now."
Location of the possible new swimming pool has not been determined but will be located near the sports complex.
The proposed new pool will require approximately two acres of land.
Representatives from Windover of Hillsboro, proposed housing development, reported they are waiting for legal descriptions from city engineer Bob Privatera.
The legal descriptions needed are for the property to be developed, the commons areas, and the two phases.
Mayor Delores Dalke asked the developer if information could be provided prior to a council meeting for review.
"We haven't seen the petitions yet so we don't know what the issues are," Dalke said.
The council said they will discuss the issues once the petition has been presented.
In other business:
— Council approved city ordinance 1087, amending a city ordinance pertaining to the requirement of licensing for contractors.
Every person, firm, or corporation engaged in general, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contracting in the city will be required to secure an annual city license. Proof of liability insurance and acceptable results of a block test in the discipline of the application are required.
The ordinance allows property owners to work on their property — residential and rental.
— A new cereal malt beverage license was approved for Casey's Retail Company, formerly Casey's General Stores, Inc. Due to company restructuring, a new application for the license was required.
— Jack Blazer, auditor with Knudsen Monroe and Company LLC, presented the 2003 audit report.
— Megan Kilgore, Hillsboro Management Board director, thanked everyone for helping with Hillsboro's 120th Birthday, Family Folk Festival, and All-School Reunion.
Garrett also thanked the city crews and city residents for helping with the festival.
"I am very pleased with my staff," Garrett said.
Councilman Byron McCarty said having events like the festival bring people and more revenue to the city.
Kilgore reminded the council of June being recognized by the state as Business Appreciation Month.
— Garrett said he would like the city's website to be in operation by Monday.
— A planning meeting will be scheduled with Garrett and the council to discuss budgets. Garrett said he attended the state-sponsored meeting Tuesday and would like to share the information with the council. Garrett will contact council members with the meeting time and date.
— A four-way stop at Main and D streets will be discussed at a future meeting.
— Vouchers in the amount of $63,561 were approved.
— The council recessed for two consecutive executive sessions, a 20-minute session to discuss legal matters and a 10-minute session to discuss personnel. The council meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The council's next meeting will be at 4 p.m. June 15 in city hall.
