Hillsboro City Council moves forward on Railroad Street Park resurfacing plans
From left, Hillsboro City Council member Jo Sanborn, Hillsboro Law Director Randalyn Worley, and council members Don Storer and Dan Baucher are pictured at the regular May city council meeting. (HCP Photo/Caitlin Forsha)
During a special meeting Thursday, May 18, members of Hillsboro City Council approved two items of legislation related to resurfacing the basketball and tennis courts at the Railroad Street Park.
As previously reported, community enhancement committee chair Jo Sanborn announced in March that her committee voted to take the first step toward plans for a possible pickleball court at the former Railroad Street park, as they are seeking bids to resurface the old tennis courts. In response to a question from council member Mary Stanforth, Sanborn said that the local pickleball group has agreed to help cover the costs.
In April, a resolution regarding bids at the Railroad Street park was amended and passed as an emergency after its first reading.
The legislation was originally introduced as “a resolution to solicit bids for resurfacing the city’s tennis courts.” At the suggestion of Mayor Justin Harsha and several council members, it was amended to include the basketball courts as well, while the legislation was passed as an emergency in order to get the bids out as soon as possible.
According to minutes prepared by Sanborn, the community enhancement committee met May 15 to review bids submitted for the project. The committee unanimously recommended accepting the lowest bid from Howland Asphalt as well as to make a related appropriations transfer.
At the community enhancement committee’s recommendation, the special council meeting was held May 18 to officially approve the legislation.
According to council clerk Whitney Aliff, the motion to approve an emergency resolution to enter into a contract for resurfacing the city’s basketball courts and tennis courts was passed.
A subsequent motion to pass an ordinance making appropriations transfers in the amount of $55,000 was approved to be moved from Contingency to Parks. Sanborn indicated in her report that the funds will be used for both the resurfacing and for new basketball rims at the park.