Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Aug. 7.

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 John Hackett, Directors Cook, Gillespie and Heimburger, Coordinator Hubbard, Lt. Fenny, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and Von Hatten, City Clerk Bellm, and five citizens.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 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.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Kurt Vonder Haar, on behalf of the World Famous Highland Speedway, that is having the best year in the sixty-two-year history of the track, thanked the city and community for their support. We have added a lot of new features at the track, including a new digital scoreboard. Our hope is if we can catch some fringe sports fans, we hope to orientate them, and have them learn about the drivers and the sport. We built our junior fan club, which is a group of kids that hold various activities during the intermissions. Downstairs we feature television screens and a DJ, to keep things moving. The raceway has a huge financial impact on the community. We have had twelve races to date, this year; had it not rained, we would have had eighteen. We have averaged 84 haulers, which equates to almost $10 million dollars in equipment. We average 20,000 attendees, with 22,000 followers on Facebook; 2.4 million Facebook hits; and, a top post of one million views and 6,000 “Likes”. We are the best at promoting Highland. On August 1, the piece filmed during Fair Week, will air on Fox 2. August 19 is our next big race. On September 8, we will be in-studio at Fox 2 to promote the September 16 race. We are starting to map out our next year’s season. The names we have brought through the track in the last 3-4 races is huge for those who follow racing. We would like to do some billboards along the interstate to promote the World Famous Highland Speedway. We would like to expand the camping area from the 20-25 sites. Highland could definitely use another hotel. Additionally, we are looking for more food options to offer.

Ronald Hunziker stated he was here with three issues. You dug up the alley up behind my house, and the neighbor across alley got significantly more rock placed down then I did. Now, my shed always floods. It never did before. Also, why did a Highland Police Officer open up the lid on my mailbox? I have pictures of all of these things. Pictures do not lie. Mayor Hemann we have looked into all of these concerns already, except for the one issue we do not know, as far as the mailbox. City Manager Chris Conrad looked at the pictures presented. He stated it appears they are putting in a business card with their contact information, as they wanted to contact you. Mr. Hunziker responded no one is supposed to touch your mailbox. It is a federal offense. Mayor Hemann reported City Manager Conrad and I had come out there to look at the issue when you called us. We did not see any issues when were there after the rainfall. City Manager Conrad pointed out the work done in the alley was because you could not get along with your neighbors. We claimed the rest of the alley that is the city’s property. This was decided in front of judge, because you could not get along with the neighbors. Mr. Hunziker stated you are not supposed to change the flow of water. City Manager Conrad stated, if you disagree, you need to contact an attorney to contact us. Mr. Hunziker responded thank you for nothing.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Bellm reported the Madison County Fair was good and hot. I have not heard figures on it yet. It appeared to be successful. The fix for the water issue, last week, was handled well, also.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad reported the storm that came in, the Saturday night of the fair, caused a significant amount of damage. The main damage was on north end of town. He commended Electric Department crews for their response. A couple of the employees self-deployed based on what they saw coming in.

The water main break was a primary main that brings water from the treatment plant to out by the lake to the standpipe tank in the center of town. Because the elevated tower is out of service, due to maintenance, right now, we lost water pressure. Within about 15 minutes of the break being reported, we had about 12 employees on site, locating and marking and determining how to attack. They had to dig down 6-8 feet, repaired it, and the roadway opened back up. Staff took samples over to the lab on Friday evening and we were able to get those samples run, so we could lift boil order by Saturday night.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #23-73/ORDINANCE Amending the Municipal Code, Chapter 2 – Administration, Article II – City Council, Section 2-26 – Regular Meetings, to Change the Starting Time of City Council Meetings from 7:00 PM to 6:30 PM – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-73/Ordinance #3281 amending the Municipal Code, Chapter 2 – Administration, Article II – City Council, Section 2-26 – Regular Meetings, to change the starting time of city council meetings from 7:00PM to 6:30PM as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Deputy City Clerk Lana Hediger pointed out we should note this will start the first meeting in September, which will actually be a Tuesday, because of Labor Day holiday. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve Amended Schedule of 2023 Meeting Dates for Council, Boards, & Commissions to Reflect Change of Start Time of City Council Meetings and to Add/Change Certain Meeting Dates for the Historical Commission – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Amended Schedule of 2023 Meeting Dates for Council, Boards, & Commissions to reflect change of start time of city council meetings and to add/change certain meeting dates for the Historical Commission as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-74/RESOLUTION Making Separate Statement of Findings of Fact in Connection with Ordinance Granting Special Use Permit for a Short-Term Rental within the C-2 Zoning District at 923 Main Street – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-74/Resolution #23-08-3046 making Separate Statement of Findings of Fact in connection with ordinance granting special use permit for a short-term rental within the C-2 Zoning District at 923 Main Street as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-75/ORDINANCE Granting a Special Use Permit to Maiden Gall, LLC to Allow a Short Term Rental within the C-2 Zoning District at 923 Main Street – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #23-75/Ordinance #3282 granting a Special Use Permit to Maiden Gall, LLC to allow a short-term rental within the C-2 Zoning District at 923 Main Street as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #23-76/ORDINANCE Declaring Personal Property of the City Surplus and Authorizing its Sale and/or Disposal, Specifically a 1997 Vermeer Directional Boring Machine and Trailer – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-76/Ordinance #3283 declaring personal property of the city surplus and authorizing its sale and/or disposal, specifically a 1997 Vermeer directional boring machine and trailer as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve a Request for Proposals for Solid Waste Collection Services – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the Request for Proposals for Solid Waste Collection Services as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Councilwoman Bellm inquired when the proposals are due in. City Manager Conrad stated I believe within thirty days. Director Jackie Heimburger verified yes. City Manager Conrad added we did put in an option for unlimited waste; however, I do not believe anyone is going to bid that. I have a feeling it will all be containerized. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1247 for July 15, 2023 through July 28, 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1247 for July 15, 2023 through July 28, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. All aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:21pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2023/08-07-2023.pdf