Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met March 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm at the Senior Center. Council members Frey, Bellm, and Hipskind were present. Councilwoman Sloan was absent. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney McGinley, Directors Cook, Gillespie, Ohren, and Presson, Fire Chief Straub, Coordinator Hubbard, Supervisor Koehnemann, Treasurer Nicholaides, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and VonHatten, City Clerk Bellm, 13 citizens, and 1 member of the news media.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2023 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Highland Arts Council –Art in the Park– Special Event Application – Lynnette Schuepbach, Representative, acknowledged that since COVID, it has been tough for artist to come out, and then last year, the Shaw Show competed, so we had fewer artists and those in attendance from out of town. So, it is going to be the same this coming year; however, we will add more demonstrations and music events throughout the weekend. We looked at our marketing, and we realize that newspapers are not as effective. We are moving more to social media and digital. There will no show program, as that is huge expense that we feel is not needed. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Art in the Park, to be held October 13, 14 & 25, 2023 as requested. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Jaycees Schweizerfest – Highland Jaycees– Special Event Application – Adam Vosholler, Chairman was present to request permission to hold the annual Schweizerfest on the Square, June 9, 10 & 11, 2023. Starting on Friday night, 5K Sat 8am, and parades both Saturday and Sunday evenings at 5:00pm. This is a community event to raise funds for the Jaycees as well as many other organizations, for community service projects. Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the Highland Jaycees request to hold Schweizerfest June 9, 10 & 11, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Blackie Kuhl stated I am part of the one percent for $39,000 to get golf carts allowed. I have had several people with kids ask about the golf carts again. Mayor Hemann stated this council has addressed this issue already. Mr. Kuhl stated I am talking about people who ride around in strollers. They would like some pride of being able to ride around in them, rather than in strollers. Mayor Hemann responded I am sorry, we have looked at this already and made our decision on it. Mr. Kuhl expressed let’s get the kids something they can be proud of.

Dave Todd, of Silver Lake Road, stated a year ago, tomorrow, you all presented the Silver Lake Watershed Plan. As I watched the trees going down in the lake with all the rain, last week, I wondered where the city was with that. I realize had an estimated twenty-one million dollar estimate with it. I go to the lake commission meetings and I know they get limited funding. I am not seeing anything done to preserve the lake. Mayor Hemann stated we can review and present an update at the next meeting. I wish we can say that we are getting all of these done. Mr. Todd expressed sooner than later, something needs to be done. Director Rosen reported we did several projects with the 319 Grant funds, we focused on the red area; reestablished the peninsula area and did shoreline work. We also worked with landowners. Thirty-two different projects between Silver Lake and just north of Grantfork have been done. We are updating the comprehensive plan, which we will use to attempt to get additional 319 grant funding or other grants. Mr. Todd asked do you plan to do all of this with grants. Director Rosen acknowledged that at some point it will take more than grant funds. Councilman Frey acknowledged thirty-two projects shows we have been working towards it. Director Rosen agreed, adding we were fortunate to finally get landowners to buy in to the improvements. City Manager Conrad pointed out there are repairs to the old dam spillway structure that will be spending funds on in this next budget yet, and that is on the agenda, tonight. While some of these projects are not necessarily in the lake or on the lake, they all effect the water quality and the lake itself. We have the budget meeting scheduled for the next meeting and Director Rosen will be out of town so we will have a report at the meeting after that.

Requests of Council:

No comments or requests presented.

Staff Report:

City Manager Conrad reported we are waiting on the specs for the new HVAC system; otherwise, all the figures, drawings, and specs are ready to bring to the council. Since the HVAC was in the floor, it took on a lot of water. That will be changed during the renovations. We hope to have that for the next council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #23-17/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for Art in the Park– Highland Arts Council – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-17/Resolution #23-03-3014 authorizing allocation of hotel/motel tax funding, in the amount of $8,000 for Art in the Park– Highland Arts Council as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Councilman Frey stated this one kind of caught us in between. We were going to look at how we were handing this funds out. Mayor Hemann pointed out this is the same amount as the past few years. Councilman Frey expressed I would rather table it, as this determines how we handle other requests. If we have more people coming to seek these funds, we could fall short. Councilwoman Bellm stated I think permit fees, tap-on fee waivers, special event fees, etc. are also a part of that discussion. Councilman Frey pointed out that every year we have more and more groups coming to request funds. I think they all deserve to receive something. I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a reserve at the end of the year, if that should happen. Councilman Hipskind asked this does not come out of the city budget. City Manager Conrad explained $45,000 is what we estimate in revenue, based upon past years of revenue generated by hotel/motel tax. Councilman Hipskind expressed I feel we have talked about hotel/motel tax funds at nauseam. This is not a new group coming forward. They have been here asking for these funds. In two months, this board is going to change here in a few months, with the election coming up. It may be a discussion to have at that time. Councilman Frey noted we have struggled with how hotel/motel tax funds are handed out. Councilwoman Bellm stated all of these groups are good. It is important to figure out a way to decide how much they should receive in funds. I have noticed groups asking for a small amount, then doubled it, and then raised it considerably each year. Art in the Park has been consistent with their request. I am reluctant to speak on this event, because I have been a vendor there and hope to be again. It is hard to quantify how much to give to an organization for events. I also need to look how much we are giving events in police, fire, and EMS support, and then it could be electric, water, dumpsters, etc. Councilman Hipskind asked have we ever gone over the budget. Councilman Frey reported we did this last budget year; however, we had some reserves to cover it. Councilman Frey made a motion to postpone until after discussion at the next meeting. Motion failed due to a lack of a second on the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilman Hipskind voted aye, Councilman Frey voted nay, Councilwoman Bellm abstained. Mayor Hemann voted aye. Motion failed to pass, as it did not have the require affirming votes to pass by statue.

Bill #23-18/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for the City Annual Members - Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-18/Resolution #23-03-3014 authorizing allocation of hotel/motel tax funding, in the amount of $1,500, for the city annual membership to Discover Downstate Illinois as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Councilwoman Bellm explained this one we have to approve this evening, because they have a deadline that is required for cities to make their commitments, in order for them to turn in their budgets for matching funds from the state. Coordinator Mallord Hubbard stated that is correct. A vote approving this would allow us to resubmit our support. This certifies Downstate Illinois as the tourism bureau for our community and for the many groups and businesses within Highland to receive discounts for the many events held in Highland, as they advertise through Downstate Illinois this next year. Councilwoman Bellm added they have a deadline to submit to Chicago, which determines how much they will receive from the state in funding for their budget year. Mayor Hemann noted Great Rivers is the other tourism bureau, which should be promoting all of Madison County. They should have been here to make a presentation us; however, they have not. Councilman Hipskind expressed we just turned a group down. However, we now are willing to give out hotel/motel funds for ourselves. Councilman Frey stated authorizing this is at a minimal cost and it allows every group in Highland to get additional help and saves everyone that advertises. I am trying to figure out a way to fairly distribute hotel/motel tax funds to the various groups. Coordinator Hubbard stated I am sure, if Lynette was still here, Lynette would have spoken to the support of Downstate Illinois. Councilman Frey pointed out this does not benefit one specific event. It helps every group and business in Highland. They are going to come back and I am going to vote to give them funds, it is just the matter of how much. Mayor Hemann agreed this muddies the water. Councilwoman Bellm stated while I am disappointed Art in The Park did not get funding, by voting this down it will harm Art in The Park and all the other groups and businesses. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey and Bellm voted aye. Councilman Hipskind voted nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-19/RESOLUTION Requesting Road Closure for Schweizerfest Event – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #23-19/Resolution #23-03-3015 requesting road closure for Schweizerfest Event as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-20/RESOLUTION Requesting Road Closure for Schweizerfest Parades – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-20/Resolution #23-03-3016 requesting road closure for Schweizerfest Parades as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid #PW-14-17 for Old Reservoir Dam Spillway Reconstruction – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid #PW-14- 17 for Old Reservoir Dam Spillway Reconstruction as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Award Bid #PW-10-22, For Veterans Honor Parkway Pavement Restoration Michael Road to Broadway – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to award Bid #PW-10-22, for Veterans Honor Parkway Pavement Restoration Michael Road to Broadway - Keeley & Sons, Inc., of East St. Louis, IL, in the amount of $320,916.89 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. City Manager Conrad reported this will get rid of the “thump, thump, thump” as you drive down the roadway. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-21/ORDINANCE Amending City Code, Chapter 22 – Cemeteries, Article 1. – In General, Section 22-1. – Fees and Assessments – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #23- 21/Ordinance #3258 amending City Code, Chapter 22 – Cemeteries, Article 1. – in General, Section 22-1. – Fees and Assessments as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-22/RESOLUTION Authorizing the Mayor and/or City Manager to Apply for Park Commission Funds from Madison County – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-22/ Resolution #23-03-3017 authorizing the mayor and/or city manager to apply for park commission funds from Madison County as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-23/ORDINANCE Declaring Personal Property of the City Surplus and Authorizing its Sale and/or Disposal, Specifically Fire Department Equipment – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #23-23/Ordinance #3259 declaring personal property of the city surplus and authorizing its sale and/or disposal, specifically fire department equipment as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1237 for February 18, 2023 through March 3, 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1237 for February 18, 2023 through March 3, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to temporarily adjourn this regular session to enter into executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act under the following exemption: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) to discuss the approval of executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm, and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Open Meeting temporarily adjourned at 7:52pm.

Mayor Hemann reconvened the Regular Session at 7:55pm. Council members Frey, Bellm, and Hipskind were present. Councilwoman Sloan was absent. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney McGinley, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and VonHatten, and City Clerk Bellm.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Frey, Bellm and Hipskind voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2023/03-06-2023.pdf