Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Jan. 21.

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 Kathryn Warren, Directors Cook and Gillespie, Lt. Feeney, Supervisor Pinsker, Coordinator Hubbard, Deputy City Clerks Hediger and Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and 9 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2025 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:

Madison County Fair Association – 2025 Speedway Events – Special Event Application – Kurt Vonder Haar, Representative, stated I want to express my heartfelt “thank you” to the council for your commitment and support of the community and the Highland Speedway. The Highland Speedway contributes to the economy, while providing entertainment and attracting visitors to the community. We are seeking approval of the schedule for the exciting and family-friendly events for this upcoming year. Erica and I are happy to answer any questions. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the request of the Madison County Fair Association to approve their 2025 Speedway Events application. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Highland Jaycees – 2025 Schweizerfest – Special Event Application – Zach Resmann, Representative, stated he is seeking approval of the Special Event Application for the Highland Jaycees’ 2025 Schweizerfest, June 5-8, 2025. It, basically, is the same as previous years, with one additional road closure for the parade, as requested by the police department. Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the 2025 Schweizerfest Special Event Application as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Mayor Hemann inquired you will only have the parade one night. Mr. Resmann replied yes. Also, there will be no 5K run on Saturday morning. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Leaps of Love – 24 Hour Laps for Leaps – Special Event Application –Brady and Traci Reichmann, representatives were present. Brady stated we are here for approval of the Special Event Application for 24 Hour Laps for Leaps, September 28 & 29, 2025. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Special Event Application for 24 Hour Laps for Leaps as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Mr. Reichmann stated even with the weather, this past year, it was a good event. We are going to try to keep it for the second to last weekend in September. We have been working with the local speedways and are on their radar for participation, now. This works with their schedule. Even if we have a rain day, it will still be in warmer weather. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

John Kapp reported he was at Sam’s Pizza on Saturday night. While there, I happened to see Sam LaPorta making that great catch. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoy it together. Mayor Hemann expressed we are very fortunate to have seen Sam grow up in Highland and watch him play at all levels. Mr. Kapp recalled watching Jake Odorizzi with several people, a few years ago, during Kirchenfest weekend. Mayor Hemann acknowledged Highland has had several good athletes.

Requests of Council:

No comments or requests.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad stated there were no staff reports.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Mayor’s Appointment of Jill Lawson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Jill Lawson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, to fill a vacated position, which will expire July 31, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve Mayor’s Appointment of Bob Luitjohan to the Cemetery Board of Managers – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Bob Luitjohan to the Cemetery Board of Managers, to fill the position vacated by Cliff Couch, for a term that will expire March 1, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-07/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 78 – Utilities, Article VII, Fiber-To-The-Premises System (Highland Communication Services), To Include Rate Increases For Certain Video Services – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-07/Ordinance #3374 amending Chapter 78 – Utilities, Article VII, Fiber-To-The-Premises System (Highland Communication Services), to include rate increases for certain video service as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Conrad pointed out this is only for video services. We are only passing along the rate increases we are seeing from our providers. Mayor Hemann reported he did some comparison to competitors. It appears we are still just under their rates. City Manager Conrad advised, under state law, when we operate these services they are to be self-funded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-08/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 6, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Highland, Alcoholic Liquor, to Increase the Number of “D2” Liquor License To Thirteen – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-08/Ordinance #3375 amending Chapter 6, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Highland, Alcoholic Liquor, to increase the number of “D2” Liquor License to thirteen as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Councilman Frey noted this is for Broadway Bar & Grill, which already has a license. We not transferring it? City Manager Conrad explained this is essentially a transfer from one owner to another owner. Deputy City Clerk Lana Hediger reported we do actually have thirteen licenses. Because they are currently operating under one license with the current owners, at the sale of the business, the old license will go away. City Manager Conrad summarized we are preventing a gap. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-09/RESOLUTION Issuing a “D2” Liquor License to Stephen Cable and Brian Meyer on Behalf of Cable & Meyer, LLC, D/B/A Broadway Bar & Grill, Pursuant to Chapter 6, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Highland, Entitled Alcoholic Liquor – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-09/Resolution #25-01-3158 issuing a “D2” Liquor License to Stephen Cable and Brian Meyer on behalf of Cable & Meyer, LLC, D/B/A Broadway Bar & Grill, pursuant to Chapter 6, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Highland, entitled Alcoholic Liquor as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Councilman Napper abstained. Motion carried.

Bill #25-10/ORDINANCE Approving and Authorizing Execution of a Development Agreement for a Project in TIF Number Three Project Area, with Veera 3, LLC, and Other Actions Related Thereto – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-10/Ordinance #3376 approving and authorizing execution of a Development Agreement for a project in TIF Number Three Project Area, with Veera 3, LLC, and other actions related thereto as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-11/ORDINANCE Approving and Authorizing Execution of an Economic Development Agreement Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/8-1-2.5, with F & J Core Properties, LLC, and Other Actions Related Thereto – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-11/Ordinance #3377 approving and Authorizing Execution of an Economic Development Agreement pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/8-1-2.5, with F & J Core Properties, LLC, and other actions related thereto as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Reports #1282 for Jan. 4, 2025 through Jan. 17, 2025 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accepting Expenditures Report #1282 for January 4, 2025 through January 17, 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 6:52pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/1-21-2025.pdf