Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met July 1.

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 Kathryn Warren, Directors Cook, Gillespie, and Widman, Coordinator Hubbard, Patacrolman Flake, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, City Clerk Bellm, and 4 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2024 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

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 3. We would like permission to utilize the adjacent park and restrooms for the event. Mayor Hemann stated this request seems pretty straightforward. They are requesting to hold the event, use the adjacent park, and the public restrooms. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the special event application for Schlafly’s Summer Luau on August 3, 2024, 12pm-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.

Battle for Brayden – Special Event Application - The AlphAs Gym Foundation, NFP – Travis Tilton, representative, explained that every year the foundation finds a cause to support. Last year, it was Brett’s First Responders, which raised $25,000, for the family of a police officer that was killed in a traffic accident, while off-duty. Five years ago, we did the Rally for Rae, in Breese, and raised $100,000. This year, we are trying to raise funds for the Baer Family, with Battle for Brayden. In addition to the boxing matches, Pulse Performance will be doing a run, and groups will be holding various activities to raise funds. This will be held at the KC Hall on September 7. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the special event application for Battle for Brayden on September 7, 2024 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

David Todd stated he would like to talk about his favorite topic. The lake was built in 1962. The average life of a lake, in Illinois, is 50-60 years. He referenced the Highland Silver Lake Plan, from 2022, and asked if, other than trying to get 329 Grants, what is the plan for the lake? Are you just going to let it fill in? It is 62 years of dealing with this problem. What is the long-term solution? Mayor Hemann responded I don’t know that we have a long-term solution. At some point there is going to be drudging done. We will be looking at that time for federal grants. City Manager Chris Conrad added, the last study on the capacity showed the majority lost was north of the interstate. The interstate has been acting as a barrier. The lower part of the lake is holding the capacity that we need. Speaking as a bureaucrat, as far as working with Heartland Conservation for the fixing the silting in problems, these smaller projects need to be done first; then we can start looking at dredging or other options. It is not something that will be done in a year or two. We have talked to engineers and consultants. Where you are located, the silting is more prominent. Probably there will be nothing in the next five years, but probably in ten years. The projects we have done have helped considerably with slowing silting in and improving water quality. We spend about $100,000.yr, which is ten percent of project costs with the rest covered under grant funds.

Requests of Council:

No comments or requests.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad reported they will starting with paving on Cypress, Pine and Laurel next week. He reminded the council that we have two large Ash trees on the Square that have been hit with Emerald Ash Bore. We have tried to treat and maintain them for several years now; however, they have reached the point that they need to come down before becoming a safety hazard. These will be coming out in the next couple of weeks. Mayor Hemann asked if this will be before the summer concerts. City Manager Conrad replied yes.

Councilwoman Bellm asked what is the plan for 4th of July fireworks, if it rains. City Manager Conrad reported any postpone or delay decision is at the discretion on the vendor. We will provide updates through Facebook, the Highland Happenings app, and the website.

Public Safety Direct Carole Widman reported she and Officer Straub went around and reviewed all open code cases, today. There was 24 cases today. Four cases had been fixed. We added a new one today; so, there are 21 active cases.

Traffic Grant and Enforcement– Public Safety Director/Chief of Police Carole Widman reported traffic crashes are up about 44% this year. We received an IDOT grant for the month of July. With that, starting July 8 through the end of the month, we will be adding an additional officer, on overtime to focus on enforcing speed limits. We will be posting this on Facebook, to warn people it is coming; however, we will not say where and exactly when. Mayor Hemann asked if there was any information on the traffic check done on Hill Road. Director Widman reported we got the data in this week and need to download it.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Transfer of Ownership of Graves in City Cemetery (Highland Home to Jean and Nancy Melanson) – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve transfer of ownership of Grave Space #6 in Lot 63 in Block #7 in City Cemetery from Highland Home to Jean C. Melanson and Nancy L. Melanson as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #24-78/ORDINANCE Abolishing the Telecommunications Advisory Board – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #24-78/Ordinance #3344 abolishing the Telecommunications Advisory Board as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #24-79/RESOLUTION Approving Change Orders For The Council Chambers as Part Of the Highland City Hall Renovation and Construction Project – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #24-79/Resolution #24-07-3120 approving Change Orders for the Council Chambers as part of the Highland City Hall Renovation and Construction Project as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Mayor Hemann stated we could be getting to the end. City Manager Conrad reported the only item out there, yet, are hearing assist items that would make our meetings ADA compliant. Otherwise, this should be the last thing outside of the Korte-Luitjohan contract. The beam nearest to the entry door was infested with terminate damage. The structural engineering believes the beam can be reconstructed in place. A second structural engineer will need to sign off on that. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Report #1269 for June 15, 2024 through June 28, 2024 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accepting Expenditures Report #1269 for June 1, 2024 through June 28, 2024 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 Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:51pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2024/07-01-2024.pdf