City discusses Roberts Lane project

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Hillsboro City Council reviewed 12 pieces of legislation and unanimously passed seven of them during a meeting March 16.

Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha provided copies of the most resent design of the proposed Roberts Lane extension project.

“I know when we first started talking about Roberts Lane and the 69 acres there were questions about how much land was usable,” said Harsha. “This just shows you usable land and how much we can actually fit in the working development out there.”

Harsha said the route had to be modified because of a cemetery off of Fenner Avenue.

Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Brianne Abbott provided a report about the city’s Imagine Hillsboro plan during her report to the city council.

“This is the city’s first ever comprehensive plan and was developed through a year-long community driven process that defines clear and defined priorities, actions, and goals,” said Abbott.

Abbott listed numerous accomplishments that align with the 10-year plan including the creation of a city economic and community development department followed by a partnership with the county by having a seat on the economic development board.

She said the city has annexed a 39-acre unincorporated island property off of Fenner Avenue in the heart of the city and worked to abate public nuisances and blighted properties such as the Parker Hotel on Main Street and other dilapidated properties.

Abbott said the city’s planned Roberts Lane Extension will spur economic development in Hillsboro. “This project is a catalyst for growth in Hillsboro,” she said.

She said the achievements include “the generous donation of a beautiful green space property on West Main Street that makes for many park possibilities with the addition of an amphitheater, community green space, and playground with walking and bike paths.”

Since the inception of the plan businesses such as The Porch Carryout and Grill, Maplecrest Meats, White’s Bakery, Mimi’s Kitchen, Rural King and Ninja Japanese Steakhouse have opened in Hillsboro.

Abbott said she looks forward to the opening of The Patriot Public House, Marshalls, Buckeye Eye Clinic, Fenner Ridge Apartments, the Marriott Hotel, Papa Johns and more in Hillsboro in 2023.

“The city has nearly doubled its cash balance since beginning work on the Imagine Hillsboro Plan,” said Abbott. “In 2018, the city had a $6.8 million bank balance, and now in 2023 we began the fiscal year with $12.7 million in the bank.”

Finance Committee Chair Mary Stanforth reported to council about a March 9 meeting of the committee to review funding packages for the Roberts Lane extension project, the North High Street service line replacement, and Beech/Railroad Street improvement projects. The Roberts Lane project has an estimated cost of $10.4 million, the service line replacement is projected to cost $1.1 million, and the Beech/Railroad Street improvements are projected to cost $3.9 million.

The committee plans to meet again before the next full city council meeting in April.

Civil Service/Employee Relations Committee Chair Dan Baucher spoke to the council to provide an update about a March 9 meeting to discuss the city personnel policy and procedure manual. Issues discussed included an increase in compensation time for city employees to save money. Baucher said discussions about defining overtime and insurance for elected officials were tabled until more information is available to the committee. Another committee meeting will be scheduled within the next two weeks.

Community Enhancement Committee Chair Jo Sanborn reported that it was decided in a March 9 meeting of the committee to move forward with accepting bids to resurface the tennis courts on Railroad Street with the goal of creating a pickle ball court.

After hearing its third reading, the city council voted to transfer the property of the old firehouse on High Street to the Community Improvement Corporation.

A resolution to authorize the city safety and service director to apply for, accept and enter into a water supply revolving loan fund account agreement on behalf of the city for the construction of High Street lead service line replacement and designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan was approved as an emergency on its second reading

A resolution authorizing the city to apply for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program and the Clean Ohio Trails Fund was approved as an emergency on its second reading to comply with an April15 grant deadline.

A resolution authorizing the city safety and service director to apply for, accept and enter into a water supply revolving loan fund account agreement on behalf of the city for the planning, design and/or construction of water facilities and designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan was moved to a third reading at the next city council meeting.

A resolution authorizing the city safety and service director to apply for, accept and enter into a water pollution control loan fund agreement on behalf of the city for planning, design and/or construction of waste water facilities and designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan was moved to a third reading at the next city council meeting.

An ordinance to establish a tax increment equivalent fund (TIF) for the Patriot Public House was passed as an emergency.

An ordinance to repeal and replace sections of the city ordinances about lodging excise tax and registration in order to comply with the Ohio Revised Code was moved to a second reading at the next city council meeting.

Two ordinances amending sections of city’s ordinances pertaining to the city’s records commission and records request policy were moved to a second reading.

A resolution for the city to enter into a janitorial contract with Commercial Cleaning Services was unanimously passed.

An ordinance related to the janitorial contract to set aside $28,500 for the contract was unanimously passed.

An ordinance to make clerical changes on supplemental appropriations for a storm sewer construction debt payment was passed.

Reach John Hackley at 937-402-2571.

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