Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm, and Hipskind were present. Others in attendance were City Attorney Michael McGinley, Directors Cook, Gillespie, Ohren, Presson, and Rosen, Coordinator Hubbard, Treasurer Nicholaides, Deputy City Clerk VonHatten, City Clerk Bellm, 7 citizens, and 1 member of the news media.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2022 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

BID OPENING

City Attorney Mike McGinley opened sealed bids submitted by parties interested in purchasing a portion of the city’s 138 kV Electric Transmission Line. Said property was declared surplus by Ordinance No. 3233 and offered for sale by advertising in The Pioneer on November 16, November 23, and November 30, 2022. Attorney McGinley reported we received one bid. It was received 12/14/2022 12:48pm here at City Hall. Upon opening it, he reported it is from Ameren Transmission, in the amount of $3,000,000. We will review and analyze the bid and come back with a motion to approve sale of the line, at the next council meeting, provided there is no discrepancies. City Manager Conrad noted we will review it against the original letter of understanding to make sure that it all matches.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Jim Accurso from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to discuss the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Program – Jim Accurso with SBA Disaster Assistance, stated he was glad to be back in the area. He is a graduate of SIUE. Mr. Accurso reported we are here due to the floods that hit the area in late July 2022. I represent eastern area, which is this side of the Mississippi River. We are here to assist any small businesses or churches that were unable to have normal operations or incurred costs as a result the flooding that occurred in July 2022. The deadline for homeowners, renters, and businesses in St. Clair County to file is December 22. People can file by calling 800-659-2955 or going online to apply at disasterloans@sba.gov to seek assistance. Two weeks ago, we began offering a deferral on payback of the loan for one year. Terms of the loan can be up to thirty years, with interest rates of 2.28% for businesses or 1.87% for non-profits. If you know of anyone in St. Clair County that has suffered due to the flooding, FEMA comes in and stabilizes, we then get referrals from FEMA, and provide long-term assistance. To date, we have provided 131 loans at $4.5M. Mayor Hemann expressed Highland has been quite fortunate. What I did not realize was that if a farmer could not get into his field or suffered crop loss, due to the flooding, then they could apply with the SBA. Mr. Accurso replied yes. We want to get people whole again. City Manager Conrad stated, as a city, we fared well. I know some farmers had issues and we have several residents that work at SAFB impacted as well. He asked City Manager Conrad if this is something that can be posted on the notifications, to get the word spread quickly about the deadline.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Sloan thanked the fire department for their trip around town, yesterday, with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Staff Report:

City Manager Conrad reported the new ambulance is complete. It is getting marked up and fully equipped. We hope to have it in operation in the next few weeks.

If you are near the Senior Center on Woodcrest Drive, you will see the new street panels. Street and Alley Staff did the repairs to the roadway, in house. By having Clint’s crew do the work, we had $22,000 in materials versus $57,000 if we contract this job out.

Last Friday, Madison County Transit notified us that they will be dedicating some funding to begin planning and construction of a multipurpose trail from Goshen Trail, which presently ends just west of Troy, and bring it to the Park & Ride in Highland. Mayor Hemann reported this is a $6.5M project. It will be called Silver Creek Trail. This has been an effort between the mayor of St. Jacob, Troy, myself and Madison County Transit.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #22-197/ORDINANCE Amending the 2022-2023 Budget – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-197/Ordinance #3249 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-198/ORDINANCE for Levy, Assessment and Collection of Taxes – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #22-198/Ordinance #3250 for levy, assessment and collection of 2022 taxes to be payable in 2023. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve 2022 Treasurer’s Report – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the 2022 Treasurer’s Report as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-199/ORDINANCE Amending Pavilion Rental Rates – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #22-199/Ordinance #3251 amending Pavilion Rental Rates as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-200/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for Promotion of the Korte Recreation Center with the Riverbender – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-200/Resolution #22-12-2999 authorizing allocation of hotel/motel tax funding for promotion of the Korte Recreation Center with the Riverbender as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-201/RESOLUTION Waiving Normal and Customary Bidding Procedures and Authorizing the Purchase of One New Vermeer Boring Machine – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #22-201/Resolution #22-12-3000 waiving normal and customary bidding procedures and authorizing the purchase of one new Vermeer boring machine as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-202/RESOLUTION Approving Application Submitted by D. J. Howard & Associates, Inc., and Awarding Certain Financial Incentives Under the Façade Improvement Program – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-202/Resolution #22-12-3001 approving application submitted by D. J. Howard & Associates, Inc., and awarding certain financial incentives under the Façade Improvement Program as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-203/ORDINANCE Approving a Contract for Cemetery Property Maintenance with Allan Butler – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #22-203/Ordinance #3252 approving a contract for cemetery property maintenance with Allan Butler as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Conrad noted this is part of a larger project, in which we are trying to fix the drainage issue at the entrance of the cemetery. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #22-204/RESOLUTION Approve and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract, Including Tender of Defense, Indemnity, Hold Harmless, and Lease Agreement for Shared Space, Between City and Ryan Poss to Provide Competitive Lap-Swimming Instruction and Practice – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #22-204/Resolution #22-12-3002 to approve and authorizing the execution of a contract, including Tender of Defense, Indemnity, Hold Harmless, and Lease Agreement for shared space, between City and Ryan Poss to provide competitive lap-swimming instruction and practice as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1232 for December 3, 2022 through December 16, 2022 – Councilman Frey made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1232 for December 3, 2022 through December 16, 2022 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:21pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2022/12-19-2022.pdf