Hastings delivers State of the City address at council meeting

The newly elected members of Hillsboro City Council heard the State of the City report by Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings during their regular January meeting.

In his State of the City address, Hastings told council that he looks forward to working with the "new and energized city council" and wants to focus on meeting with members of the community, including city employees and local business owners, to establish a plan "to do big things" in the city.

"The city's financial picture is promising," Hastings told council at the beginning of his address. "We've taken great pains to rein in expenses, plug wasteful holes and find new sources of revenue."

Hastings spoke of what he, council and other citizens need to do come up with "a strategic plan" for the city.

"We'll ask ourselves, what do we have? What are our assets? What do we want for this city? How will we get there?" Hastings said.

"In developing this strategic plan, we must ask ourselves not just where do we as a city want to be in five or 10 years, but where do we not want to be? Because where we do not want to be is as important a question as where do we want to be."

Hastings said it was important for the city to progress, rather than remain "the town that we've always been," because "things are very different today … in America."

"Globalization has fundamentally changed Midwest cities like Hillsboro," Hastings said. "Job opportunities are quite different. Drug abuse is more firmly rooted in our culture. Young people are living here. We face problems today that seniors and baby boomers like myself leave us shaking our heads."

Among the factors the plan will need to include, Hastings said, are the Smith/Hobart Drive project; potential sites for new industrial buildings; the historic uptown district; drug issues; and traffic problems.

"I'm here to tell you that we will get them solved," Hastings said. "Look around. Hillsboro today looks better than it did two years ago. Our financial picture has changed dramatically for the better.

"This year we're improving our police presence. We're targeting derelict properties. We're fixing all the bent and aging residential street sign poles, and we have many road paving projects planned for 2014."

Hastings concluded by asking council members for "your help, your concern, your time and your energy" and by telling council members that "2014 is all about positive and upward for Hillsboro."

"Let's all get there together," Hastings said.

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In his safety and service director's report, Todd Wilkin spoke of "a lot of things to look forward to" in 2014.

Wilkin opened by thanking city employees "for a successful year" in 2013, along with thanking Steve Pence and the streets department, Randy Barr and the sewer and water maintenance department and Jason Bernard and the water treatment plant for their work during the recent inclement weather.

Wilkin also warned the public of water leaks in the city and asked citizens to "have a watchful eye" and to check their basements and residences for such leaks.

Wilkin also made the following announcements to council:

• Although the city has received the new Neptune water meter system, the weather has delayed its implementation. Wilkin said that they plan to start using the system in the near future.

• The city "is in the process of selecting an energy provider for all the city-owned facilities." Wilkin said the city is considering the two bids it received and that "the lowest bidder will save the city approximately $41,000."

• The chief of police exam will be held this Friday and Saturday. Wilkin told The Highland County Press that the city hopes to appoint a police chief by mid-February.

• The city is entering a contract with Adam Vance, who Wilkin said has provided snow removal services for the city for several years without an official contract.

• The city received bids for the sanitary and sewer replacement project and has hired Unger Construction of West Union, whose bid "came under our proposed budget," Wilkin said.

• Sixty applications have been submitted for a vacant water office clerk position, Wilkin said, and the city will be conducting interviews and hiring a new clerk within the next few weeks.

• The city is working on "grant writing season," particularly applying for Ohio Department of Transportation grants.

Wilkin also discussed plans for changes to Liberty Park.

"I think we would all agree that Liberty Park is underutilized," Wilkin said. "One of the grants we're going after is for bike trails and walking trails."

Wilkin said the city has already agreed with local nonprofit group Hillsboro Ohio Disc Golf to build a disc golf course at the park at no cost to the city.

"This course, in the future years, could prove to be an opportunity to bring visitors to Hillsboro who wouldn't normally know we're here," Wilkin said.

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Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis presented a resolution to council to place a recent anonymous donation to the city in the Recreation Fund until a use for the money is determined. Council approved the resolution by a 7-0 vote.

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In the planning commission report, Hastings said that the recommendation to vacate a North East Street alley will be presented to council during next month's meeting.

Hastings also invited members of council to attend the planning commission's organizational meeting, along with future meetings.

Council president Lee Koogler encouraged the street and safety committee and zoning and annexation committee members to plan to work with the planning commission.

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As the current council had not yet had met, Koogler used the standing committees report to determine which existing issues need to be addressed by the newly formed committees. Council members voted 7-0 to "untable" the previously composed vacant property ordinance to allow property maintenance and restoration committee chair Ann Morris and other committee members to resume work on legislation.

At Wilkin's suggestion, a recent request by a citizen to look at parking signs for uptown was placed in the street and safety committee, which is chaired by Justin Harsha.

In other business, council members:

• Approved a resolution "to enter into an agreement with the Highland County Commissioners to provide legal counsel to indigent persons charged with serious offenses and loss of liberty offenses in the Hillsboro Municipal Court" by a 7-0 vote.

• Nominated and voted 7-0 to approve Dick Donley as council president pro tempore.

• Nominated and voted 7-0 to approve Koogler as the city representative for nonvoting membership with the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire Board.

• Heard from one citizen in attendance, Jim Matticks, who informed council that some members of the Hillsboro Concerned Citizens United group have faced "backlash" for their participation, both personally and professionally.

"I think there's a problem when citizens do get involved and there's backlash toward us," Matticks said. "Several of us, and I just want to make everyone aware of this, were harassed over this."