Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann 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 Conrad, City Attorney Michael McGinley, Directors Cook, Gillespie, Imming, Ohren, Presson, and Rosen, Coordinator Hubbard, EMS Chief Wilson, Fire Chief Straub, Treasurer Nicholaides, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and VonHatten, City Clerk Bellm, 20 citizens, and 1 member of the news media.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2022 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Hemann read a document proclaiming November, National Veterans and Military Families Month. Mayor Hemann noted he will be reading this proclamation at the ceremony following the Veterans’ Day Parade on Sunday, November 13, 2022, which starts at 2:00pm from St. Paul’s Church parking lot and ends at the Square.

RECOGNITION

Mayor Hemann recognized Captain Tim Rusteberg on his retirement, following 28 years and 2 months of service with Highland EMS. Chief Wilson thanked Tim for his time, talent and service to the department.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Leaps of Love - 24 Hour Laps for Leaps - Special Event Application – This was postponed until the November 21 meeting.

Christmas Carriage Rides - Special Event Application – Scot Lehr stated we live just a few miles outside of Highland and have some horses. My carriage is currently being repaired and awaiting parts; however, provided the carriage is repaired in time, we would like to give back to the community by providing carriage rides around the Square during the holiday season. As a businessperson, for forty years, I aware of the concern regarding liability. I have reviewed the Illinois Equine Act, which provides some protection and states assumed risk of those participating. My business will be sponsoring us to cover the liability. We would as to park near the northwest corner of the Square, taking up about 3-4 parking spaces. We have a Belgium horse that has always been very gentle. We want to do this at no cost. However, if we want to have some admission, we could ask for can goods if the food pantry wants to provide a volunteer to pick up the barrel at the end of the evening and take to the pantry. I have a million dollar liability policy, currently. What the Equine Act is saying is, if the carriage creates the issue, because of failure of equipment, then my insurance liability comes into play. If a horse is acting like a horse, and gets spooks, then that is where the Equine Act comes into play. Councilwoman Bellm inquired you are not looking at doing this the night of the parade. Mr. Lehr responded no. I believe there is a company already hired to provide rides that evening. The days would depend upon the carriage being repaired and returned and weather permitting. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Mr. Lehr’s request to provide carriage rides around the Square per the application attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

First Congregational Church – Night in Bethlehem - Special Event Application – Jennifer Schaible stated the First CC is requesting closure of Washington Street between 8th Street and 9th Street, from 1:30pm – 5:30pm for a live nativity scene. Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the First Congregational Church’s Night in Bethlehem Special Event Application and partial street closure of Washington Street, between 8th Street and 9th Street, from 1:30pm – 5:30pm as requested. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Requests of Council:

Mayor Hemann thanked Councilwoman Bellm for covering for him while he was on vacation. .

Staff Report:

Police Chief Carole Presson reported the police department has had couple big programs started this year. First off, the body cameras are being deployed. We started it with our busiest midnight shift. The response from the citizens that have come into contact with the officers wearing them have been very positive. We are going to begin using them on the day shift and then roll to the other two shifts. We are hoping that by the end of year we will have the program completely implemented.

There is also the K-9 program. We have a really good dog. He has been involved in some drug arrests and a little tracking. He was at a disturbance, recently; things were getting amped up, and as soon as he barked stopped, it turned things down and things were brought under control. We have noticed unwanted nighttime traffic has slowed down when they know he is on patrol. Chief Presson reported Brad has said is the envy of his counterparts, because of the support he and the dog have received from the community. He just got his bulletproof vest and the stab resistant vest is on order, thanks to the support of the community.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Mayor’s Appointment of Kami Lynch to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Kami Lynch to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission to fill a vacated position, for a term that will expire July 31, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and

Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-159/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for Highland Chamber of Commerce – Annual Lighted Christmas Parade – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-159/Resolution #22-11-2981 authorizing allocation of $1,500.00 in Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for Highland Chamber of Commerce – Annual Lighted Christmas Parade as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Award Bid #PW-05-21, Matter Drive Reconstruction – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to award Bid #PW-05-21, Matter Drive Reconstruction, to Keller Construction, Inc., of Glen Carbon, Illinois, for the amount of $1,033,332.92 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-160/RESOLUTION Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirement and Authorizing Purchase of a New Emerson Programmable Logic Controller from Corsair Controls, Inc. – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-160/Resolution #22-11-2982 waiving competitive bidding requirement and authorizing purchase of a new Emerson Programmable Logic Controller from Corsair Controls, Inc., in the amount of $72,835.00, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Mayor Hemann voted aye. Motion carried.

Bill #22-161/ORDINANCE Declaring Personal Property Surplus and Authorizing its Trade-in, Specifically Two Ambulances – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-161/Ordinance #3229 declaring personal property surplus and authorizing its trade-in, specifically two ambulances as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-162/RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sole Source Purchase from R Enterprises, LLC for a New 2023 Ambulance and Waiving Customary Bidding Procedures – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-162/Resolution #22-11-2983 authorizing the sole source purchase from R Enterprises, LLC for a new 2023 ambulance, in the amount of $119,500, and waiving customary bidding procedures as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Mayor Hemann voted aye. Motion carried.

Bill #22-163/RESOLUTION Authorizing Contract with St. Rose Township for Ambulance Services – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-163/Resolution #22-11-2984 authorizing contract with St. Rose Township for ambulance services as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-164/RESOLUTION Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirement and Authorizing Purchase of Nineteen Tasers from Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the City Police Department as a Sole Source Purchase – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-164/Resolution #22-11-2985 waiving competitive bidding requirement and authorizing purchase of nineteen Tasers from Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the city police department as a sole source purchase, in the amount of $30,552.00 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Mayor Hemann voted aye. Motion carried.

Bill #22-165/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 78, Article VII, Section 78-732, of the Code, Entitled Schedule of FTTP Rates and Charges, Creating New Fees and Services – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-165/Ordinance #3230 amending Chapter 78, Article VII, Section 78- 732, of the Code, entitled Schedule of FTTP Rates and Charges, creating new fees and services as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. City Manager Chris Conrad acknowledged this was on an agenda recently and approved by the council; however, the next morning an error in the rates was found.

Director Angela Imming reported this ordinance reduces internet rates for higher packages and for our commercial internet users. Because we have been able to find operational efficiencies within we want to pass these savings along to the customers. This will bring our rates about 5% lower than the national average. We are excited to offer this at a time when everyone is seeing rates and charges on other things increase. We are working on technology advances, presently, which will allow us to offer 2.5 Gig service. Mayor Hemann expressed it is nice to see we are moving this the other direction. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-166/RESOLUTION Designating Freedom of Information Officers Pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Freedom of Information Act – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-166/ Resolution #22-11-2986 designating Freedom of Information Officers Pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Freedom of Information Act as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-167/ORDINANCE Declaring Personal Property Surplus and Authorizing its Sale and/or Disposal, Specifically a Life Fitness 93T Treadmill – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-167/Ordinance #3231 declaring personal property surplus and authorizing its sale and/or disposal, specifically a Life Fitness 93T Treadmill as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-168/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 6, of the Code Entitled, Alcoholic Liquor, to Increase the Number of “D2” Liquor Licenses to Ten and Decrease the Number of “D1” Liquor Licenses to Seven – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-168/Ordinance #3232 amending Chapter 6, of the Code entitled, Alcoholic Liquor, to increase the number of “D2” Liquor Licenses to ten and decrease the number of “D1” Liquor Licenses to seven as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-169/RESOLUTION Issuing a “D2” Liquor License to BS Merkle, LLC pursuant to Chapter 6, of the Code Entitled Alcoholic Liquor – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-169/Resolution #22-11-2987 issuing a “D2” Liquor License to BS Merkle, LLC pursuant to Chapter 6, of the Code entitled Alcoholic Liquor as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilwoman Bellm inquired this is a restaurant liquor license. City Attorney Mike McGinley explained Ed & Millie’s had a “D1” liquor license; “D2” enables them to have gaming. Councilwoman Bellm inquire they are listed as a restaurant. Attorney McGinley replied yes, they have great burgers. Councilwoman Bellm added, and great chili. Councilwoman Bellm inquired Ed & Millie’s was listed a restaurant with their liquor license before the ownership change. City Manager Conrad replied yes. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-170/RESOLUTION Approving Application and Awarding Certain Financial Incentives Under the City Façade Improvement Program to Glik Development – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #22-170/Resolution #22-11-2988 approving application and awarding certain financial incentives under the City Façade Improvement Program to Glik Development as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-171/RESOLUTION Approving Application and Awarding Certain Financial Incentives Under the City Façade Improvement Program to 12613 State Route 143, LLC. d/b/a Dairy Queen – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-171/Resolution #22-11-2989 approving application and awarding certain financial incentives under the City Façade Improvement Program to 12613 State Route 143, LLC. d/b/a Dairy Queen as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to postponed Items P, Q and R, Bills #22-172, #22-173, and #22-174 amending zoning classification from “R-1-C” Single Family Residential to “C-3” Highway Business District on properties until the November 21, 2022 council meeting. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Attorney McGinley explained our code says we need to act on items discussed at the Combined Planning & Zoning as soon as possible; however. These items were approved at the Combined Planning & Zoning Meeting, last week; however, the calendar did not align properly with the required timing for proper notifications outlined in our code; therefore, these will be on the agenda for the next council meeting. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-175/ORDINANCE Declaring Certain Associated Property Rights and Purchased Assets of the City Surplus and Authorizing their Sale Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-76-1 and 65 ILCS 5/11-76-2, Specifically Approximately 11.2 Miles of the Highland 138 KV Transmission Line – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-175/Ordinance #3233 declaring certain associated property rights and purchased assets of the city surplus and authorizing their sale pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-76-1 and 65 ILCS 5/11-76-2, specifically approximately 11.2 miles of the Highland 138 KV Transmission Line as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1229 for October 1, 2022 through November 5, 2022 – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1229 for October 1, 2022 through November 5, 2022 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:44pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2022/11-07-2022.pdf