Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 6:30pm at the Highland Area Senior Center. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm, and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney Christi Swick, Directors Gillespie and Presson, Coordinator Hubbard, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerk Von Hatten, City Clerk Bellm, and 7 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 21, 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.

PROCLAMATION

Mayor Hemann read a document proclaiming the week of September 10 through 16, 2023 as Chamber of Commerce Week. Hillarie Holzinger, Highland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, accepted the proclamation. She noted that next year will be the 100th anniversary of the Highland Chamber of Commerce.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Highland Chamber Commerce Annual Lighted Christmas Parade - Special Event Application – Sabrina Luitjohan, Assistant Director, requested permission for the Chamber of Commerce to hold the Lighted Christmas Parade, on Friday, November 24, 2023 per the attached event application. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the Highland Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, to be held on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 6:30pm as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Sloan stated she has had some people ask her questions about the smell and taste of our water. City Manager Chris Conrad reported that each year we switch types of chlorine that we use to sanitize the lines. It is nothing to be concerned about from a health standpoint.

Councilwoman Bellm expressed her appreciation for Code Enforcement looking into the all issues with grass and other violations.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad reported the water tower maintenance is done. Cellular hardware can get on tower as of last Thursday. T-Mobile will be starting next Thursday. From what have we heard, AT&T is going to wait until T-Mobile is done.

Matter Drive is expected to be opened back up next week.

City Manager Conrad reported there are 27 active issues that Code Enforcement is working with, presently. Eight deal with building codes, three are zoning code issues, and the rest are property maintenance issues. As cases fall off, new ones seem to come on. Historically, this is quite high. The police department is assisting with them. Councilwoman Bellm asked what is attributing to the high number. City Manager Conrad stated there seems to be a usually high number of property owners that have just allowed things to go too long. Most folks clean up when given a first notice. Then after seven days, a letter is sent. If nothing is done, then a violation is issued. He explained the ones that argue they are not a violation are the ones that are the issues. A court order gives them 21-30 days. We had a property owner with a derelict vehicle issue that took nine months to resolve. So, while it seems we are not doing anything to correct the issues, we are. It just takes time. Forcing irresponsible people to be responsible takes time.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #23-86/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax Funding for Highland Chamber Commerce, Annual Lighted Christmas Parade - Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #23-86/Resolution #23-09-3050 authorizing allocation of hotel/motel tax funding, in the amount of $1,500, for Highland Chamber Commerce, Annual Lighted Christmas Parade as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilwoman Bellm asked if we are okay with funds. City Manager Conrad responded we are, I checked with Reanna, earlier today. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid #PW-04-23, for the Roof Replacement Water Treatment Plant - Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid #PW-04-23, for the Roof Replacement Water Treatment Plant as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORT

Accepting Expenditures Report #1249 for August 19, 2023 through September 1, 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1249 for August 19, 2023 through September 1, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. 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 6:41pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2023/09-05-2023.pdf