Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kevin Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 6:30pm. Council members Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney Kathryn Warren, Directors Cook, Gillespie, and Heimburger, Lt. Feeney, Coordinator Hubbard, Manager Koehnemann, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerk Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and 6 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 4, 2025 Special Session as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 4, 2025 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

Memorial Day Parade – Special Event Application – In Kate Broadhurst’s absence, Randy VonHatten came forward to represent Highland VFW Post #5694 and Highland American Legion Post #439. Councilwoman Sloan reported Kate Broadhurst was requesting approval of the Memorial Day Parade, on May 26, 2025. Line-up will begin at 12:30pm at St. Paul Church, with step-off at 1:00pm. The parade will follow the same route as in the past, going east on Main St., then south on Lemon Street to 12th Street, east on 12th to Poplar Street, and Poplar Street south to VFW Road. It will end at the VFW Post, where a ceremony will be held at 2pm. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the request of the Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by the VFW Post and American Legion Post on May 26, 2025, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Steps For Life 2025 5K Run/2K Walk – Special Event Application – Brenda Korte and Laurie Frank, representing Relevant Pregnancy Options Center requested permission to hold their Steps for Life 5K Run and 2K Walk. A map has been turned in for the location. We have decided to have it out at Glik Park. This will allow people to visit our center also. Setup will begin at 6am, with registration starting at 7:00am, and the race will start at 8:00am. We did talk to Dwight Rutz and he will allow us to use his property for parking as well. Councilman Napper made a motion to approve Relevant Pregnancy Options’ request to host Steps for Life 2025 5k Run/2M Walk on September 13, 2025 as requested and per application attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Liz Vaughn stated she just wanted to give a huge thank you to the city and city staff. I was at home when the storm came through on Friday. It was really cool to know that capable people were hired and that things were going to get handled with getting the power back on and streets cleared. Mayor Hemann agreed, stating, I would like to reiterate that. Our guys were out there all night. We are fortunate to have our own line crew. Councilwoman Sloan concurred, adding, all the crews worked well together.

John Kapp came forward and reported there were a lot of trees down. There was a large tree down north of Main Street. The guys were working on it at 2am in the morning. Can you image all the people still without power in St. Louis? We are very fortunate. The crews are so good, even in the snowstorms.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Bellm noted the Spring Cleanup Dumpster outside of City Hall is full, again. Director Jackie Heimburger reported they are going to dump again tomorrow. We are going to try to stretch it out to May 23. Mayor Hemann expressed it is amazing how much trash has accumulated.

Councilman Napper read from a letter he received from a resident whom had concerns on several items around town, including out by Rinderer Park, there is a spot where a car hit a fence. The fence is still torn down. Whomever hit it should pay for it and it should get fixed. On Warbler, there are a lot cracks in the road. Councilman Napper stated I will turn this list over to City Manager Conrad. It is a list of a lot of mundane things, but it is important to this person.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Chris Conrad reminded everyone that the Farmers’ Market starts back up tomorrow. It will be every Tuesday, 4pm-7pm, on the Square, through September 30.

As far as the recent storms, City Manager Conrad stated, I want to thank the numerous employees that responded. Several self-deployed because we were having phone issues on Friday. I want to recognize and thank Kevin Timmermann, with the City of Breese. Breese sent a crew in to assist and that was instrumental in getting power restored.

City Manager Conrad reported Friday was almost like the “perfect storm”. Our cellphone carrier, for the City, lost service just before the storms. With the phone and internet down it made it difficult to communicate internally and with the public. The storm hit a 20-by-20 block area in center of town. That is what is classified as a microburst. There were no specific warnings. The sirens are designed to go off when the National Weather Service projects or sees one-inch diameter size hail or sustained winds of 50 miles or more, within 15 miles and tracking towards Highland. No notification was given by the National Weather Service.

As far as cleanup of yard debris, we are asking citizens to cut up what they can and place it with the weekly pickup, in marked yard waste containers or bundled. If two-inches or more in diameter, please move it to the curb. Call 654-9891 extension 4, to schedule a pickup.

As for the citywide cleanup dumpster, City Manager Conrad reported part of our contract with Republic Services provides for us to have ten dumpsters per year. The demand has been quite staggering. We have used a huge portion of our allotment. Jackie is working to negotiate with Republic to get more dumpsters to continue until May 23 as advertised. To help alleviate some of this, in the future, we are going to purchase plastic covers that go over mattresses and furniture for disposal, to hand out at City Hall. We hope this will encourage residents to utilize the curbside bulk pickup. Usually you can get this done with your normal trash pickup if you call and request it several days in advance.

Kate Broadhurst arrived. She came forward to invite the mayor to participate in the Memorial Day Parade. We will have a car for you to utilize. We also want to invite you to say a few words at the ceremony. The Chief is welcome to come and participate as well.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Mayor’s Reappointment of William Sloan to the Liquor Control Commission – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the mayor’s reappointment of William Sloan to the Liquor Control Commission, for an additional three-year term, to expire June 2028, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Approve Mayor’s Reappointment of Tyson Imming to the Police and Fire Commission – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the mayor’s reappointment of Tyson Imming to the Police and Fire Commission, for an additional three-year term, to expire June 2028, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-62/ORDINANCE Declaring Personal Property of the City of Highland Surplus and Authorizing its Sale and/or Disposal, Specifically Property From the Police Department – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-62/Ordinance #3393 declaring personal property of the City of Highland surplus and authorizing its sale and/or disposal, specifically property from the Police Department, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-63/RESOLUTION Approving Change Order Number One to Increase the Amount For the Purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 for the Police Department – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #25-63/Resolution #25-05-3193 approving Change Order Number One to increase the amount for the purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 for the Police Department, in the amount to $55,050.00 total as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-64/RESOLUTION Approving Change Order Number One to Increase the Amount For the Purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 for the Light & Power Department – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-64/Resolution #25-05-3194 approving Change Order Number One to increase the amount for the purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 for the Light & Power Department, for a total amount of $53,852.00 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-65/RESOLUTION Authorizing and Approving a Renewed Water Purchase Contract Agreement With Country Hills Water, Inc. – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #25-65/ Resolution #25-05-3195 authorizing and approving a Renewed Water Purchase Contract Agreement with Country Hills Water, Inc. as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Mayor Hemann stated I know they were having a better deal than other ones we were selling to. Are they now at the same rate? Are they on the same renewal as others now also? City Manager Conrad replied they are at the same rate. Their renewal is not the same. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-66/ORDINANCE Amending City Personnel Policy Manual Section 7.1 – Holidays, Adding the Day After Thanksgiving Day and Adding Section 7.16 – Maternity and Paternity Leave – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-66/Ordinance #3394 amending City Personnel Policy Manual Section 7.1 – Holidays, adding the Day After Thanksgiving Day and adding Section 7.16 – Maternity and Paternity Leave as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Mayor Hemann noted this is to match some of our negotiated contracts. City Manager Conrad reported this is also to keep us in line with other communities and the area job market. We recently negotiated four union contracts. In that process, we reviewed benefits of other communities in area. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-67/RESOLUTION Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirement and Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Agreement to Purchase a Palo Alto Software Solution Through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program as a Sole Source Purchase – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #25-67/Resolution #25-05-3196 waiving competitive bidding requirement and approving and authorizing the execution of a purchase agreement to purchase a Palo Alto Software Solution through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program as a Sole Source Purchase as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Conrad reported this is a periodic purchase of cyber software. We are fortunate to have this negotiated through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Report #1290 for May 3, 2025 through May 16, 2025 – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1290 for May 3, 2025 through May 16, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilman Napper made a motion to temporarily adjourn this regular session to enter into executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act under the following exemption: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Open Meeting temporarily adjourned at 6:59pm.

Mayor Hemann reconvened the Regular Session at 7:42pm. Council members Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Attorney Warren, City Manager Conrad, Lt. Feeney, Deputy City Clerk Flake, and City Clerk Bellm.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. All aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:42pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/5-19-2025.pdf