City of Hillsboro Moving Forward with Land Usage for New Fire and Rescue Hall
The Hillsboro City Commission met in regular session Monday.
With the recent passing of the sales tax proposal, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue members continued their request to utilize the space south of the city’s armory for their new location. After passing the second reading implementing the sales tax to fund the new building, the commission and HFR reviewed proposed building schematics and how being in that location would affect the other parties with ties to the land.
During the discussion, Commissioner Nicole Evans also questioned the city’s plan for snow removal if HFR built on that open space. The space is currently one of the city’s main locations for snow piles. Commission President Levi Reese says there’s a lot of other things to consider before HFR can freely use the land.
While the commission did not formally approve a land transfer or lease, the city will move forward with assisting HFR in preparations to use that land for their new building. HFR informed the commission that they have drawn up two building options, one in cooperation with Sanford Health and one without. HFR is currently working on the design phase with financing coming after that. Work could begin on the new building as early as summer of 2025 with earliest estimated completion in the summer of 2026.
In other main discussion items, Evans updated the commission on the status of cybersecurity grant funds. Reese says the city needs to be proactive when thinking about safety.
No formal action was taken on the cybersecurity discussions. The city currently has over $40,000 of grant funds to use. The commission will continue to review options to use the funds.
Other Approved action items included:
*A conditional use permit for Shining Lights daycare to operate in a residential area- The commission felt that, while a daycare is not normally able to be located in a residential area due to zoning regulations, a facility providing such a service to the community warrants an exception. This would not be an additional location, rather permission to move their current location into a new residential address.
*The second reading on the recreational vehicle ordinance- The ordinance outlaws residing in recreational vehicles such as RVs and campers on public property not designated for such use. The ordinance also sets a time limit of two weeks a recreational vehicle can be parked in a public space unattended. The ordinance does make an exception for temporary construction offices, but the exception must have city approval. There were no changes made to uninhabited vehicles parked on private property.
*Final updates to the employee handbook and policy manual
*Confirmation of the Lodging Tax Committee’s approval of $2500 to repair the burro statue in Railroad Park
*A renewal of the city’s portion of the “More at 104” billboard near Grand Forks for three years at $3600-The renewal is pending Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation’s half of the total cost being approved.
*An I-29 sidewalk project change order
*An engineering task order for repairs to the city pool- The order is contingent on a grant the city received for pool repairs being extended. The grant is for $150,000.
*Road maintenance materials (within budget)
In other discussion items, Travis Schmidt, General Manager at Moorhead Public Service, gave a presentation on navigating Hillsboro’s current utility rates. Commissioner Jason Pohlkamp reported that the Traill County Sheriff’s Office is nearly at full staff after a couple of hires. Pohlkamp also informed the commission that the sheriff’s office is looking into a county-wide resolution to the stray dog challenges. The Hillsboro community dog discussion will continue at the next commission meeting on Monday, December 2nd.