Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Aug. 18.

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 Trent Carriger, Directors Cook, Gillespie, Hubbard, Koehnemann, Widman, and Wilken, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerk Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and 6 citizens.

MINUTES

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

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

No requests or comments.

Requests of Council:

No requests or comments.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Conrad notified everyone that the street closures for Kirchenfest will begin tomorrow and continue throughout the weekend.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Transfer of Graves in Cemetery from Miles Hughett to Susan Hughett – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve transfer of Grave Space # 1, in Lot 15, of Block 10 in Highland City Cemetery from Miles Hughett to Susan Hughett 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 Anthony Walker and Bill Koehnemann to the Combined Planning & Zoning Board – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve the mayor’s reappointment of Anthony Walker and Bill Koehnemann to the Combined Planning & Zoning Board for additional five-year terms, to expire August 31, 2030, as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Award Bid # PR-09-25, for Glik Park Parking Lot –Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to award Bid # PR-09-25, for Glik Park Parking Lot to Byrne & Jones Construction, in the amount of $455,340 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. City Manager Conrad noted this is a budget capital project for this year. We had very competitive bidding, and this project came in about $40,000 less than estimated. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-91/RESOLUTION Authorizing the Mayor and/or City Manager to Execute Any Documents Necessary to Facilitate the Memorandum of Understanding With the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #25-91/Resolution #25- 08-3216 authorizing the Mayor and/or City Manager to execute any documents necessary to facilitate the

Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-92/ORDINANCE Authorizing the Execution of a Commercial Real Estate Sales Contract with Rehberger Holdings, LLC for the Purchase of Property Along Noel Lane Highland, IL 62249 at Parcel No. 02-1-18-29-13-303-004 –Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-92/Ordinance #3399 authorizing the execution of a Commercial Real Estate Sales Contract with Rehberger Holdings, LLC for the purchase of property along Noel Lane Highland, IL 62249 at Parcel No. 02-1-18-29-13-303- 004 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Councilman Napper asked is this to facilitate utilities for development. City Manager Conrad reported this will be at TIF 3 development project that will extend Cally Lane in the direction of Noel Lane. Councilman Napper asked is connection of Noel Lane a thought. City Manager Conrad responded not at this time. That subdivision is not in the city limits, and I was not going to open that can of political worms. Councilman Napper expressed it would be a great safety enhancement for those that live in that subdivision to be able to come down Noel Lane and get to the traffic light to turn at Cally Lane. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-93/ORDINANCE Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Business District Development Agreement For a Project in Business District “A” With Rehberger Holdings, LLC., and Other Actions Related Thereto – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Bill #25-93/ Ordinance #3400 approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Business District Development Agreement for a project in Business District “A” with Rehberger Holdings, LLC., and other actions related thereto as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Report #1296 for August 2, 2025 through August 15, 2025 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1296 for August 2, 2025 through August 15, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Mayor Hemann thanked everyone for their thoughts and understanding during this tough time for my family. The response from the community has been overwhelming. Continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:41pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/8-18-2025.pdf?t=202509031659190