Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Jan. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kevin Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 6:30pm. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney Trent Carriger, Directors Cook, Gillespie, and Widman, Coordinator Hubbard, Easton Rosen, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and Citizen John Kapp.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 16, 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:

John Kapp stated the Optimist Shootout was a great thing. The city crews did a great job cleaning the streets off. They always do a good job. It was good there was not much ice. Mayor Hemann expressed we always appreciate your positive comments.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Bellm reiterated what John Kapp said: The crews did a great job with all the streets. Please pass our gratitude on to them. Public Works Director Joe Gillespie said the street crew had some help from the water and sewer division to give our guys a break, last night. Councilwoman Bellm noted, thankfully, we did not need the electric department this time around. Director Gillespie added he would like to give a shout-out to Clint Conrad. He worked really hard to put together a great plan; all the employees bought into it and executed it well.

Mayor Hemann expressed it impresses me how the community comes together for the Highland Shootout. I think all the teams really appreciated the hospitality shown.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad stated no staff reports at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

Approving Mayor’s Appointment of Jeffrey Hebrank to the Library Board of Trustees – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Jeffrey Hebrank to the Library Board of Trustees to fill a vacant term, which will expire June 30, 2026, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-01/RESOLUTION Supporting Fair Housing – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-01/Resolution #25-01-3153 supporting fair housing as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-02/RESOLUTION Authorizing the City of Highland to Enter a Final Loan Closing Amendment with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Rehabilitation Project, Also Known As PW-19-19 – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-02/Resolution #25-01-3154 authorizing the City of Highland to enter a final loan closing amendment with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Rehabilitation Project, also known as PW-19-19 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Conrad stated, just to clarify, this project went down by just over $200,000. Therefore, the loan will be for $2M rather than $2.2M; this is the reason for the amendment. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-03/RESOLUTION Approving an Employee Lease Agreement with GovTempsUSA For Finance Department Consultant Services – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-03/ Resolution #25-01-3155 approving an employee lease agreement with GovTempsUSA for finance department consultant services as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. City Manager Conrad reported that this person is a former finance director, whom is retired. We are in the process of transitioning over to Tyler Software. She is helping us transition and put new processes into place. Mayor Hemann noted she has a background with use of the Tyler software also. City Manager Conrad responded yes. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-04/RESOLUTION Authorizing the City of Highland to Enter Into a Contract with Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. for Consulting on State Grants and Economic Development – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-04/Resolution #25-01-3156 authorizing the City of Highland to enter into a contract with Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. for consulting on state grants and economic development as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Mayor Hemann noted we have used them before. City Manager Conrad reported, yes, we used them earlier last year and we were very impressed. We do not have enough things to have a permanent grant writer on staff. They are very good at what they do; and, we hope to get the money back in some grant funds. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-05/RESOLUTION Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirement and Authorizing Purchase of Meter Communication Modules From Tantalus Systems, Inc. – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-05/Resolution #25-01-3157 waiving competitive bidding requirement and authorizing purchase of meter communication modules from Tantalus Systems, Inc., in the amount of $19,023.00 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-06/ORDINANCE Amending Ordinance 3335, Passed on April 15, 2024, Authorizing and Amending “Business District A” Commercial Building Façade Improvement Program for May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025 – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-06/Ordinance #3373 amending Ordinance 3335, passed on April 15, 2024, authorizing and amending “Business District A” Commercial Building Façade Improvement Program for May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Councilwoman Bellm asked Coordinator Mallord Hubbard for explanation. Coordinator Hubbard explained we had allocated $50,000 for the façade program. We have seen a lot of interest in the program; therefore, we have bumped that amount to $75,000. We had it originally for $75,000 when proposed; however, it was not utilized. If continued interest, we may maintain it in the budget at $75,000. Councilman Napper inquired these funds come from the business district tax. Coordinator Hubbard responded yes, it comes from the additional 1% tax in the business districts. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Reports #1281 for Dec. 14, 2024 through Jan. 3, 2025 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accepting Expenditures Report #1281 for December 14, 2024 through January 3, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Councilman Napper abstained. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/1-06-2025.pdf