Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met March 3.

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 Acting City Manager Joe Gillespie, City Attorney Trent Carriger, Directors Heimburger, Rosen, and Widman, Coordinator Hubbard, Manager Kohnemann, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerk Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and 71 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2025 Regular Session 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 approve the minutes of the February 18, 2025 Executive Session. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

MAYORAL RECOGNITION

Mayor Hemann recognized the Highland Middle School Dance Team, which competed at the IDTA State Championships on Saturday, February 15th. The Dance Team came away with a State Championship in Jazz and a second place finish in Lyrical. The coaches and a couple of the girls will be recognized later this month on the popular local sports podcast, The Metro East Sports Podcast hosted by Dave Lipe. The girls have put in a lot of time this year and it has shown with their numerous first-place trophies won this season, capped off by winning the State Championship. The Dance Team has been unbeaten all year in the Jazz Division. The girls are coached by Elaine Baer and Tegan Beard.

Mayor Hemann recognized the Highland Middle School Cheerleading Team, which completed a successful season by winning numerous first-place finishes this season in invitational competitions; finished sixth place at the ICCA State Championships; and, capping off the season with a third-place finish at the IESA State Championship placing the highest of any school in our fifteen-team conference and area. The girls put in a ton of effort into their season. It showed with their finish to the season. Chelsey Kantner and Bailey Wells coach the girls. Coach Kantner introduced the girls. She noted that at the IESA State Championship, they were 0.2 away from second place against twenty-six other teams. A great year.

PROCLAMATION

Mayor Hemann stated he also gets to recognize another special group of girls. Everywhere I went this weekend, the Girl Scouts were selling cookies. That is a good thing. Mayor Hemann read a document proclaiming the week of March 9-15, 2025 as Girl Scout Week. They noted we have over 100 girls in Highland area in Girl Scouts. While we are not the largest community, we have the largest participation, which says a lot about the community support.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Easter Egg Hunt – Lisa Sauer State Farm– Special Event Application – Amanda stated we are seeking approval to host the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12:00pm-3:30pm. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the request of Lisa Sauer’s State Farm for use of the downtown square, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, for Easter Egg Hunt 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 inquired where we are going with ordinance enforcements. It seems there are a lot of large trash items sitting out at curbs and in front of trash bins. You see people move out of an apartment and just pile up stuff by curb or by the dumpsters. The dumpster down the street cannot be dumped because of the stuff sitting in front of the dumpster. Director Jackie Heimburger advised to let us know the specific address or area and we can address it. Councilman Frey agreed, even on the east side of town people leave their trashcans out for two-three days after trash pickup. Mayor Hemann recalled there was some concern about that, last year, when the new cans were being introduced. We decided to give it some time for people to adjust; however, it may be time to look at the ordinances that other communities utilize.

Councilman Napper suggested we follow the example of the Illinois State Legislatures and U.S. Congress. We should contact the Highland Area Christian Ministry and open each meeting with a short prayer. Mayor Hemann stated I am not sure if an ordinance would be required, or what protocol would be. We will have to have council look into that. Councilman Napper expressed I feel it would fall under public comment.

Staff Reports:

No reports.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill #25-25/RESOLUTION Authorizing Allocation of Hotel / Motel Tax Funding (2025 Requests – Various) – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-25/Resolution #25-03-3167 authorizing allocation of Hotel / Motel Tax Funding (2025 Requests – Various), in the amount of $45,600 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Mayor Hemann reported Director Heimburger and Coordinator Mallord Hubbard went through this list and had to massage it down, as there was not as much revenue due to the hotel being remodeled, this past year. Councilman Frey inquired everyone that submitted an application received some funds and were notified. Director Heimburger replied yes. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-26/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 22 – Cemeteries, Article I – General, Section 22-1 – Fees and Assessments of the Highland Municipal Code – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #25-26/Ordinance #3383 amending Chapter 22 – Cemeteries, Article I – General, Section 22-1 – Fees and Assessments of the Highland Municipal Code as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Mayor Hemann stated I reviewed this and we are still lower than a lot of other cemeteries, even with these increases. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Reports #1285 for Feb. 15, 2025 through Feb. 28, 2025 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accepting Expenditures Report #1285 for February 15, 2025 through February 28, 2025 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. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/03-03-2025.pdf