The Highland City Council met at 7 p.m. Monday, June 6.
The six members of the Highland Park City Council are elected at-large and meet twice monthly at City Hall. The meetings are broadcast live and are also archived on the city's website. Council members serve staggered, four-year terms. Along with the mayor, the council appoints Highland Park's city manager.
Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Highland City Council:
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION
HIGHLAND CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016
Mayor Michaelis called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm. Council members Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Mark Latham, City Attorney John Long; Directors Cook, Gillespie, Korte, Imming, Peck, and Schoeck; Police Lt. Conrad, EMS Chief Wilson, Fire Chief Bloemker, Latzer Library Director Kim, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, City Clerk Bellm; 2 citizens, and one member of the news media.
MINUTES
Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2016 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Councilman Schwarz abstained. Motion carried.
PUBLIC FORUM
Citizens’ Requests and Comments:
John Kapp stated we lost a good friend, a wonderful citizen, former city employee and police officer this past week. He asked for a moment of silence, in memory of Don Lohman, a wonderful person all around. Mayor Michaelis stated he visited Don, at the facility he was at, last week, and we had a wonderful conversation. He will be missed.
Requests of Council:
No requests or comments.
Staff Reports:
City Manager Latham reported there will be a public hearing here Wednesday night, 4-6pm to take comments on the proposed pedestrian underpass of Troxler Avenue between the middle school and high school.
NEW BUSINESS
Bill #16-45/ORDINANCE Annexing Certain Territory Owned by Grandview Farm Limited
Partnership – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #16-45/Ordinance #2735 annexing
certain territory owned by Grandview Farm Limited Partnership as attached; seconded by Councilman
Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-46/ORDINANCE Amending Zoning Classification of Certain Property Owned by
Grandview Farm Limited Partnership – Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #16-
46/Ordinance #2736 amending zoning classification of certain property owned by Grandview Farm
Limited Partnership as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey,
Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-47/ORDINANCE Amending Sections 74-312 and 30-27 of the Code of Ordinances to
Clarify the Definition of Nuisance Motor Vehicles – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill
#16-47/Ordinance #2737 amending Sections 74-312 and 30-27 of the Code of Ordinances to clarify the
definition of nuisance motor vehicles as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Councilman
Schwarz asked if there was a specific incident that marked this change. Lt. Chris Conrad reported there
was several issues. Previously, there were three different areas. With this, it combines it with sanitation,
due to health concerns of wild animals nesting inside the vehicles. Councilman Schwarz inquired are we
not expanding the definition. Lt. Conrad reported the only expansion is that if a vehicle is being stored on
property for more than 30 days it needs to be stored inside. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and
Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-48/ORDINANCE Declaring Used Set of Ivanko Dumbbells Totaling 2100 lbs. Surplus
Property and Authorizing Its Sale – Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #16-48/
Ordinance #2738 declaring used set of Ivanko Dumbbells totaling 2100 lbs. surplus property and
authorizing its sale as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey,
Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-49/RESOLUTION Authorizing Purchase of Comfort Station for Rinderer Park from
CXT Inc., d/b/a CXT Precast Concrete Products – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill
#16-49/Resolution #16-06-2384 authorizing purchase of comfort station for Rinderer Park from CXT
Inc., d/b/a CXT Precast Concrete Products, for the amount of $38,907.11 as attached; seconded by
Councilman Schwarz. Councilwoman Bellm asked, since we do not have sewer lines out there, we have
to get a vault. What happens when we get sewer lines out there? Parks & Recreation Director Rosen
reported the lines would tie into the vault. Councilwoman Bellm asked if we have the funds available for
this. Finance Director Kelly Korte reported there is money in reserves that was not used, last year, which
can be used. Director Rosen explained this unit is similar to the ones put out behind Ruler Foods, at Glik
Park, and at Silver Lake Park, near the boat ramps. Councilwoman Bellm expressed I am of the opinion
that I am not sure if we need restrooms out there, just yet. City Manager Latham reported the Rotary will
be erecting the pavilions out there this summer. Councilman Frey asked what the concrete pads will be
used for. City Manager Latham explained that is preparation for the dog park. Councilman Frey asked
for a status update on fundraising for the dog park. City Manager Latham reported the Jaycees indicated
they want to wait until after Schweizerfest to discuss. Councilman Schwarz expressed we used city
leadership to get other organizations to invest in the park, and we have gone this far. It makes no sense to
not go all the way. Councilwoman Bellm noted that it took many years to get restrooms out at Silver
Lake Park. As long as we are not going crazy spending money on the dog park, and with the other things
that other groups are putting out there, it makes sense from that aspect. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey,
Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-50/RESOLUTION Approving Change Order #5 and Final (Regarded by the City’s Dept.
of Public Works as Change Order #3 with Respect to Work on “Construction of Iberg Road Extension”)
Under Contract #PW-15-06, To Balance Field Measured Quantities to Plan Quantities – Councilman
Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #16-50/Resolution #16-06-2385 approving Change Order #5 and
Final (Regarded by the City’s Dept. of Public Works as Change Order #3 with respect to work on
“Construction of Iberg Road Extension”) under Contract #PW-15-06, to balance field measured quantities
to plan quantities as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. City Manager Latham mentioned that
this actually a deduction of $91,354.96. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye,
none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-51/RESOLUTION Authorizing and Directing Application to the Illinois Department of
Transportation for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant, for the Purpose of
Constructing a Twelve-Foot Wide by Eight-Foot High Pedestrian Underpass and Ten-Foot Wide Path to
Allow Safe Pedestrian Access Across Troxler Avenue – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve
Bill #16-51/Resolution #16-06-2386 authorizing and directing application to the Illinois Department of
Transportation for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant, for the purpose of constructing
a twelve-foot wide by eight-foot high pedestrian underpass and ten-foot wide path to allow safe
pedestrian access across Troxler Avenue as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Councilwoman
Bellm stated I assume we are just making an application. Depending upon on the meeting and approval
of application for grant funding and other funding, while determine if we proceed. City Manager Latham
reported this came about in the discussion with IDOT. The push button stop walk across, is not that safe
and causes issues with traffic backup onto Route 160. Councilwoman Bellm expressed hope for the
possibility of an overpass versus underpass. City Manager Latham responded you probably will not see
that, because it must have ADA accessibility, so the approach would be tremendous to get to a height of
at least twenty feet above the roadway. Councilwoman Bellm noted everyone has the memories of the
one under Broadway. City Manager Latham pointed out this is twelve feet wide, similar to those
underpasses used for the multipurpose trails in and around Edwardsville. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey,
Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-52/RESOLUTION Approving Net ? Network System Agreement with Tantalus
Systems Inc. – Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #16-52/Resolution #16-06-2387
approving Net ? Network System Agreement with Tantalus Systems Inc. as attached; seconded by
Councilwoman Bellm. Councilman Schwarz inquired this agreement is just a statement to do business
with this company. Director Dan Cook concurred, adding it defines the rules of engagement with one
another. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-53/RESOLUTION Waiving Normal & Customary Bidding Procedures and Authorizing
Purchase of In-Car Computers and Cameras from Hubb Systems, LLC d/b/a Data 911 – Councilwoman
Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #16-53/Resolution #16-06-2388 waiving Normal & Customary
Bidding Procedures and authorizing purchase of in-car computers and cameras from Hubb Systems, LLC
d/b/a Data 911, in the amount of $35,317.84, as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz.
Councilman Schwarz stated I do not have any objection, if we looked at others. Lt. Conrad reported this
purchase allows us to switch the balance of our fleet over to this system. We have some of these in use
already. We looked at the quality of the system and the ability for piece replace, if a portion of the
equipment goes bad. The camera system is DVR and will allow us to add body cameras into it. Initial
purchase price is more expensive, but long-term this system is cheaper. We are purchasing both the
computers and the cameras together, so we are getting a discount. This has GPS system for our cars, also,
so the dispatchers will actively know the location of units. Each unit is $11,000-$12,000. Councilman
Schwarz asked how long the Toughbooks last, normally. Lt. Conrad reported the ones we have were in
service since 2005. They were being used. However, they were supplemented with other pieces of
equipment and computers. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay.
Motion carried.
Bill #16-54/RESOLUTION Approving Agreement with ADS LLC for Flow Monitoring, Data
Analysis and Report in Connection with Wastewater Management – Councilman Schwarz made a motion
to approve Bill #16-54/Resolution #16-06-2389 approving agreement with ADS Environmental Services,
LLC for flow monitoring, data analysis and report in connection with wastewater management, in the
amount of $34,735 as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Councilman Frey asked if we are
currently using this company. Public Works Director Joe Gillespie reported this company we did some
analysis work for us, last year, and, they just completed inspection of some of our trunk lines. They are
more of a contractor than a typical engineering firm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and
Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-55/RESOLUTION Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Local Agency
Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, for Resurfacing of
Walnut Street from US Route 40 to Broadway – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill
#16-55/Resolution #16-06-2390 approving and authorizing the execution of Local Agency Agreement for
Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, for resurfacing of Walnut Street
from US Route 40 to Broadway as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote:
Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #16-56/RESOLUTION Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Local Agency
Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, for Construction of a
Shared Use Path to Iberg Road as a Bike Route, which Shared Use Path and Bike Route Are to Be Known
as Sharpshooters Trail – Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #16-56/Resolution #16-06-
2391 approving and authorizing the execution of Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with
the Illinois Department of Transportation, for construction of a shared use path to Iberg Road as a bike
route, which shared use path and bike route are to be known as Sharpshooters Trail as attached; seconded
by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay.
Motion carried.
REPORTS
Approve Warrants #1023 & #1024 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Warrants
#1023 & #1024 as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, and
Bellm voted aye, none nay. Councilman Nicolaides abstained. Motion carried.
Councilman Schwarz made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. All council
members voted aye, none nay. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.
Joseph R. Michaelis, Mayor Barbara Bellm, City Clerk
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