Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Jan. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The January 6, 2020, meeting of the City Council was held at City Hall at 1115 Broadway. Mayor Michaelis called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm. Council members Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind were present. Councilman Frey was absent. Others in attendance were City Manager Mark Latham, City Attorney Michael McGinley, Treasurer Foehner, Directors Conrad, Cook, Gillespie, Imming, Korte, Rosen and Slover; EMS Captain/Supervisor Wilson, Planning & Zoning Administrator Speraneo, Economic & Business Recruitment Coordinator Mallord Hubbard, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, Library Director Kim and four citizens. No members of the news media were present.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag was recited.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2019 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Blackie Kuhl asked if residents could be allowed to drive golf carts on city streets.

Councilwoman Bellm indicated that this had been looked into and discussed before, and it was determined to be too dangerous considering the three state routes within city limits. He also questioned if the city council meetings could be aired on Channel 3. Councilwoman Bellm indicated that she had just been discussing that with the city manager before the meeting. Mayor Michaelis asked Director Imming what it would take to put the meetings on Channel 3. She indicated that it would put a bit of a burden on the staff, otherwise the technology is available. Dave Todd offered that his kids used to do video production as a class at the high school. Director Imming indicated that HHS doesn’t have that as a class anymore.

Requests of Council:

Sarah Sloan indicated that the recycle containers at the schools are overflowing. City Manager Latham indicated that the school contracts those, but not through the city.

Staff Reports:

Mayor Michaelis reported that a Special Session of the City Council will be held on January 10, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. City Manager Latham mentioned that the main reason for the meeting is to review and prioritize upcoming capital projects. However, another item has been added to the agenda. Due to its’ time sensitivity, the council will be considering TIF incentives for Trouw Nutrition. They have just purchased the Highland Recycling building and will be using that for a warehouse. A local contractor is going to be renovating it for that purpose. The Industrial Development Commission will be discussing it on Wednesday and will forward their recommendation to the council.

City Manager Latham noted that he provided the council with a letter from Moody’s showing that the city has a good bond rating, unchanged from what it was. We have a very strong Aa3 rating. At the council’s next meeting, the underwriter will be selected for the Public Safety bonds.

City Manager Latham reported that per the Mayor’s request for more transparency at the Dec. 16 council meeting, some modifications to the city’s current website have been made.namely:

 There is a button on the homepage that will take you directly to the city council agendas.

 There is a button on the homepage that will take you directly to the city council minutes.

 There is a button on the homepage that will take you to a page where you can subscribe to receive a notification when the agendas and/or minutes of the meetings are posted.

Councilwoman Bellm asked for clarification on the subscription process. There is a check-box now for anyone who wants to receive the city council agendas and/or city council minutes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Bill #19-177/ORDINANCE Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90 – Zoning, Article II – Administration and Enforcement, Division 3 – Applications, Permits, and Fees, Sec. 90-67 – Fee Schedule – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #19-177/Ordinance #2992, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90 – Zoning, Article II – Administration and Enforcement, Division 3 – Applications, Permits, and Fees, Sec. 90-67 – Fee Schedule, as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilwoman Bellm clarified that the appeal to the city council and the associated $600 fee for it has been removed and replaced by an appeal to the city manager. Building & Zoning Administrator Speraneo, indicated that was correct. She added that a $50 fee was added for appeals to the city manager on site plan review decisions. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #20-01/RESOLUTION Supporting Fair Housing – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #20-01/ Resolution #20-01-2680, Supporting Fair Housing, as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #20-02/RESOLUTION Authorizing Agreement with Crawford, Murphy, & Tilly Inc., Consulting Engineers, for Consulting Services (Scott Hanson) – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #20-02/ Resolution #20-01-2681, authorizing agreement with Crawford, Murphy, & Tilly Inc., Consulting Engineers, for consulting services (Scott Hanson), as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #20-03/RESOLUTION Approving Change Order #1, Temporary Location Change Order, for F-12-19, Fire Station 1 Remodel – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #20-03/ Resolution #20-01-2682, approving Change Order #1, Temporary Location Change Order, for F-12-19, Fire Station 1 Remodel, as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilman Hipskind asked when the Fire Department will be moving? City Manager Latham indicated that they were trying to schedule it for March 1st. He inquired about a petition to take the Senior Citizen Center issue to a referendum. Mark indicated that he hasn’t heard that one is being circulated. Councilman Hipskind asked Mark what the delay in starting the Senior Citizen Center renovation was. Mark indicated that we have to wait until the deadline passes, to make sure there isn’t a petition for public question filed, first. Councilman Hipskind asked why EMS couldn’t be moved to the old HPFPD building in the meantime, during the remodel. Chief Conrad indicated that it is expected to be approximately seven months to remodel Fire House 1. Both locations would require some modification to accommodate the 24-hour service. Councilman Hipskind suggested that the old Highland-Pierron FD be utilized until the Fire house is renovated? Chris Conrad indicated that the timing was the issue with that. They didn’t think it would be available for the 7 months it could take. Also minor renovations would still need to be made to accommodate the 24-hour EMS service. Councilman Hipskind asked why the Senior Center issue couldn’t be pushed back long enough to accommodate the EMT’s until the fire house renovations are complete. City Manager Latham indicated that at one time we looked into purchasing the old HPFPD building. Councilman Hipskind asked how much above an appraisal the city can go, legally. City Attorney indicated that you have to have some serious justification that it is in the best interests of the citizens before paying above appraisal price. Councilman Hipskind asked if the purchase of the building vs. leasing the building had been explored in an effort to save the tax payers money. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Discussion – Building Fees Schedule – Building & Zoning Administrator Breann Speraneo indicated that formulas have to be incorporated into the new software. While they have known that the fees have not been updated for some time, this process has made them aware that a comprehensive review of all their fees is needed. It has been since approximately 2003 since any of these fees have been adjusted. Councilman Hipskind commended Administrator Speraneo on the thoroughness of her report.

Discussion – Zoning Fees Schedule – Administrator Speraneo noted that all that is being done is an addition of a $100 sign permit fee. This is not a new fee, it is simply being moved to the correct location in the code.

REPORTS

Approve Warrants #1152 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Warrant #1152 as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilman Hipskind asked for clarification on items identified as being ‘meals for YAH.’ He wanted to know what YAH is. Mark Rosen indicated that YAH stands for ‘Young at Heart.’ These are programs for seniors, hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department. They are well-attended and while they are not making money on these programs, the organizer tries to make sure that expenses are covered by the registration fees. Roll Call Vote: Sloan, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. All council members voted aye, none nay. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/sites/highlandil/files/minutes/01-06-2020.pdf