Grundy Reporter

City of Highland City Council met Sept. 15.

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 Michael McGinley, Directors Gillespie, Koehnemann, Wilken, and Widman, City Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy Clerk Flake, City Clerk Bellm, and 11 citizens.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2025 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PROCLAMATION

Mayor Kevin Hemann read a document proclaiming the week of September 17-23, 2025 as Constitution Week. Marilyn McCall and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution were present to accept the proclamation.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

St. Paul Catholic School Fall Festival – Special Event Application – Courtney Robertson requested the closure of Main Street, between Olive and Lemon Streets, for a fall festival, on October 24, 2025, from shortly after the end of school until about 9pm. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve St. Paul Catholic School’s request for road closure, on October 24, 2025 as requested. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

HHS Homecoming Parade – Special Event Application – Clint Hamilton, HHS Athletic Director, requested road closures on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 for the annual high school homecoming parade. The parade participants will gather near the elementary school area, on the new parking lot and Four Diamonds, beginning at 5:00pm. The parade will begin at 6:00pm and proceed to the Square. We will have an assembly at the Square following the parade, which should conclude about 7:30pm. Councilwoman Bellm made motion to approve the Highland High School’s request to hold HHS Homecoming Parade on October 8, 2025 as per application attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Requests of Council:

Councilwoman Sloan asked that the city put a reminder out there about the 24-Hour Leaps of Love race, which will be this Saturday.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Chris Conrad reminded everyone that the Highland Fire Department’s annual picnic is next Saturday, September 27, on the Square.

City Manager Conrad informed every one of several projects starting in the next few week: The second year of road resurfacing will begin on 7th Street, 9th Street, Poplar, and Lemon Street, from 14th Street to Lindenthal. Just as inconvenient, will be the replacement of the Glik Park parking lot, taking it from oil and chip to asphalt.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid # E-14-25, for Purchase of 7 - 75 kVA Padmount Distribution Transformers – Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to approve Notice of Municipal Letting, Bid # E-14-25, for purchase of 7-75kVA Padmount Distribution Transformers as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Conrad reported this is to replenish our in house stock. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Award Bid # PR-13-25, for Weinheimer Ceiling Replacements – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to award Bid # PR-13-25, for Weinheimer Ceiling Replacements to ICS Construction Services, Ltd., in the amount of $128,049 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. Councilwoman Bellm expressed this needs to be done. Mayor Hemann noted they are probably the originals. Director Koehnemann responded I replaced a few in the late nineties. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #25-97/RESOLUTION

Engaging the Services of WM Financial Strategies, as Municipal Advisor, and Gilmore & Bell, P.C., As Bond Counsel, In Connection With the Issuance of Certain Obligations – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #25-97/Resolution #25-09-3219 engaging the services of WM Financial Strategies, as municipal advisor, and Gilmore & Bell, P.C., as bond counsel, in connection with the issuance of certain obligations as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. City Manager Conrad explained the city has worked, in the past, with Joy Howard and Sean Flynn with several items before for bond issuances. This will be for two separate infrastructure projects. One is an entrance off Highway 40, just south of the Public Safety Building, in TIF District 3. The other is construction of a roadway off Cally Lane. While we have funds available, we felt it was best to keep some cash in hand, for grants we have applied for, for other infrastructure projects out by the new grade school. We want to be able to pledge money towards those grants, should we be awarded them. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Accepting Expenditures Report #1298 for August 30, 2025 through September 12, 2025 - Councilwoman Sloan made a motion to accept Expenditures Report #1298 for August 30, 2025 through September 12, 2025 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Klaus. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, 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 Klaus, Sloan, Bellm, and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2025/09-15-2025.pdf?t=202510141051190