Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met July 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm at the Highland Area Senior Center. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm, and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney McGinley, Directors Cook and Gillespie, Lt. Fenny and six members of Highland Police Dept., Deputy City Clerks Hediger and Von Hatten, City Clerk Bellm, and seven citizens.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

SWEARING IN

Mayor Hemann administered the official oath to probationary Patrol Officer Matthew Bogard.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Schlafly’s Summer Luau – Special Event Application – Cody Lowe requested permission to host a summer event, a luau, on August 12. We would like permission to utilize the adjacent park and restrooms for the event. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the special event application for Schlafly’s Summer Luau on August 12, 2023, 5pm-9pm, with use of Plaza Park and the restroom facilities, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Jill Schleper, Highland native, stated I have had dogs for most of my life. I have a two-mile route that I walk each day. On Wednesday, July 19, I was walking my dog on this route. We were going down Park Hill Drive, and I was walking along the road. A German Shepherd came out from nowhere, attached her in her back hind legs. I was yelling for help, and no one would come out. Finally, a man who lives at 2218 Park Hill Drive came out. The guy said, ‘I have cameras.’ He did nothing else. I called the police department. As I started walking up the hill, I saw the man and a woman leave. I gave Officer Biggs a description of the car and license plate information. We waited until 8am, when the vet office opened, to get the dog to the vet. $122.65 later, for pain pills and antibiotics. A lot of people walk this route with children and dogs. I understand there is only so much you can do, as a city. I am trying to see if the county can do anything. This same dog in this area bit another walker that I spoke with. This is a repeat offender dog. City Manager Chris Conrad explained we have the ability to issue an ordinance violation. This is not the first dog bit history, in recent time. We ask for maximum fines on this. Dog bites are a strict liability in Illinois, which means any damages the owner of the dog that bit is liable for those damages. The Madison County Animal Control Administrator is new and we are trying to work with them on these issues, as to what their role is. We have had two officers bit, as well as other walkers in other areas of town, recently. As Jill pointed out, repeat offenders are considered vicious animals. City Attorney McGinley advised the maximum we can charge is $750 for the ordinance violation. We can also seek restitution for you as well. Mrs. Schleper expressed I do not want to see this happen to anyone else. Councilwoman Sloan stated with Fair Week, this week, it is very concerning. Mrs. Schleper questioned do these people even care. There is a lease law. Yet, you see how many people are posting that dogs are running around. What is it going to take to make things change? Mayor Hemann thanked Mrs. Schleper for bringing this to our attention. Mrs. Schleper asked what if they do not pay the fine. City Attorney McGinley explained if they do not pay the fine, then they will be arrested. If Madison County will work with us on it, we will would welcome that. Councilman Napper asked is that dog kept in the house or in a pen. How does it get out? Jill Schleper responded that someone told her that the dog is kept in the garage. I saw a lady taking trash cans out, that morning, so I don’t know if that is the case. I will begin carrying pepper spray. If the dog gets hurt, because it gets in the dogs eyes, then so be it. I am going to protect my dog. That is my child.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Sloan asked do we have the issue with the locks on the bathrooms resolved. City Manager Conrad reported the company we hired is working with the manufacturer to get the locks replaced or get us a refund. In the meantime, we are going to have them put on manual locks until this is resolved.

Councilwoman Sloan inquired, with the heat this week, are we putting out any information that the Weinheimer Community Center is available as a cooling center. City Manager Conrad responded, yes, we will placing notifications out there on the app and other social media outlets.

Mayor Hemann expressed he could not have been more proud of our staff, this past week. Chief Carole Presson, City Manager Conrad, and Director Angela Imming, really made the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Celebrity Pie Auction event a success. I am so proud of what you all do. It is not in your resume. Councilwoman Bellm agreed it was a good representation of the city.

Staff Reports:

Nothing additional to report.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #23-72/RESOLUTION Accepting a Proposal to Purchase the City’s Proposed General Obligation Debt Certificates (Limited Tax), Series 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-72/Resolution #23-07-3045 accepting a proposal to purchase the city’s proposed General Obligation Debt Certificates (Limited Tax), Series 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Joy Howard, of WM Financial Strategies was present to answer any questions the council may have. She stated there is not much to add, as City Manager Conrad wrote the best memo on this. City Manager Conrad reported Joy, Reann and I were in consensus on this. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Joy Howard stated, as far as time schedule: The next step drafting of the documents by Gilmore Bell, which will then be reviewed by your attorney. We will plan to be back here on August 21, 2023 for approval of the documents. The closing is scheduled for August 30.

Approve Amended Schedule of 2023 Meeting Dates for Council, Boards, and Commissions –

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve amended Schedule of 2023 Meeting Dates for Council, Boards, and Commissions as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Discussion – Possible Change of Council Meeting Start Time to 6:30 PM – Mayor Hemann reported a lot of other communities do an earlier meeting, so that staff can have an earlier evening at home. City Manager Conrad stated this first came to me when we attended the Clinton County meeting. Councilwoman Bellm expressed she is fine with it, but you just need to remind me. City Manager Conrad explained we will not start this until September, because we need to advertise it. City Attorney McGinley added requires an ordinance to approve the change.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1246 for July 8, 2023 through July 21, 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1246 for July 8, 2023 through July 21, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm, voted aye, none nay. Councilman Napper abstained. 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)(11) to discuss litigation and 2(c)21 to discuss approval of executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Open Meeting temporarily adjourned at 7:27pm.

Mayor Hemann reconvened the Regular Session at 7:30pm. Council members Napper, Bellm, Frey, and Sloan were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney McGinley, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and Von Hatten, and City Clerk Bellm.

Mayor Hemann stated there will be no action taken on anything that was discussed in the Executive Session.

Councilman Napper made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. All aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:31pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2023/07-24-2023.doc