Metro East Sun

The Highland City Council met Feb. 6 to approve the mayor's commission appointments.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:

"The Highland City Council are elected officials who set policy, establish the operating budget, and lay out the strategic plan for city staff to execute."

MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION

HIGHLAND CITY COUNCIL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017

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 Michael McGinley, Asst. City Manager Peck; Directors Bell, Cook, Gillespie, Kim, Korte, Rosen, and Schoeck; EMS Chief Wilson, Fire Chief Bloemker, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, City Clerk Bellm, 4 citizens and one member of the news media.

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2017 Special Session as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2017 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

PUBLIC FORUM

Citizens’ Requests and Comments:

2017 Automotive Swap Meet Funding Request – No one was present for this item.

2017 Highland Masonic Lodge #583 Old Swiss Sausage Supper Street Closure Request – Dean

Frieze, 34719 Pierland Drive, Pocahontas, stated we have requested this street closure for the past several years, because we have such a demand for carryouts, with this event. Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve closure of 9th Street, between Walnut & Pestalozzi, on Sunday, February 26, 2017 as requested; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

2017 Highland Speedway Event Date Approval Request – Sue Zobrist, Manager of Highland Speedway and Secretary of Madison County Fair Association, requested approval of dates submitted for Madison County Fair and the Highland Speedway. Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve the  2017 Highland Speedway event dates and Madison County Fair events submitted as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay.

Councilman Frey abstained. Motion carried.

Bunny 5k Fun Run and Walk Street Closure Request – No one was present for this item.

Requests of Council:

No requests or comments.

Staff Reports:

City Manager Latham reported the City of Highland has been nominated for the St. Louis Regional Archis awards. The award recognizes companies, organizations, and institutions working to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, work and invest. City Manager Latham congratulated Assistant City Manager Lisa Peck for this nomination. The awards presentation will be held February 23, 2017, in St. Louis. City Manager Latham reported a second public hearing will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2017 for the residents affected by the proposed FEMA maps..

City Manager Latham stated we continue to look at what we can do regarding the siltation into Silver Lake. With assistance of Ron Hunsche, we have put out an advertisement to notify all watershed landowners inviting them to meeting on February 20, 2017 at 11:00am, at Diamond Mineral Springs.

State Representative Charlie Meier and members from Madison County will be there to meet and open dialogue about options regarding what we can do between the owners, city and legislators to limit or present siltation.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Mayor’s Appointment to the City’s Tree Commission – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Susan Amaro to the Tree Commission, to fill a three-year term vacated by Richard Wagner to expire July 2018 as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz.

Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #17-07/RESOLUTION Approving Submittal to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan for the City’s Wastewater Collection and Treatment System, and Also Approving Applying to the I.E.P.A. for an $11,000,000 Loan from the State Revolving Fund - Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #17-07/Resolution #17-02-2434 approving submittal to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan for the city’s wastewater collection and treatment system, and also approving applying to the I.E.P.A. for an $11,000,000 loan from the State Revolving Fund as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #17-08/RESOLUTION Accepting Madison County Community Development’s Offer to Make a Capital Improvement Loan in the Amount of $46,970 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #17-08/Resolution #17-02-2435 accepting Madison County Community Development’s offer to make a capital improvement loan in the amount of $46,970 as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz.

Councilman Schwarz inquired we applied for this loan at a 3% interest rate. City Manager Latham replied yes. Councilman Schwarz asked what we are going to use this for. City Manager Latham explained this  was for the new spinning bikes at the Rec Center. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Bill #17-09/ORDINANCE Declaring Sixteen Used Spinning Bicycles From the Korte Recreation Center to be Surplus Property and Authorizing Their Sale Via Live Auction –Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Bill #17-09/Ordinance #2768 declaring sixteen used spinning bicycles from the Korte Recreation Center to be surplus property and authorizing their sale via live auction as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Award Bid #E-12-16 for Clearance Tree Trimming of 138 kV Electric Transmission Line – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to Award Bid #E-12-16 for Clearance Tree Trimming of 138 kV Electric Transmission Line to Specialty Contracting, of Highland, in the amount of $28,000.00 as attached; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

REPORTS

Approve Warrants #1047 & #1048 – Councilman Schwarz made a motion to approve Warrants #1047 & #1048 as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to temporarily adjourn this regular session to enter into executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act under Section 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) to discuss approval of executive session minutes, 2(c)(5) to discuss whether or not a particular parcel of real property should be acquired and 2(c)(1) to discuss the performance and compensation of a specific employee; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. Roll Call Vote: Schwarz, Frey, Bellm and Nicolaides voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:14pm.

Mayor Michaelis reconvened the Regular Session at 7:50pm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Nicolaides, Bellm, Frey and Schwarz were present. City Manager Latham, City Attorney McGinley and City Clerk Bellm were also present.

Mayor Michaelis stated nothing discussed in Executive Session this evening would be acted upon in this session.

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Schwarz. All council members voted aye, none nay. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.