City of Highland City Council met July 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Michaelis called the Regular Session to order at 7:00pm. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm were present. Councilman Hipskind was absent. Others in attendance were City Manager Mark Latham, City Attorney Michael McGinley, Directors Conrad, Cook, Gillespie, Imming, Kim, Korte, and Slover; Chief Wilson, Coordinator Hubbard, Building & Zoning Administrator Speraneo, KRC Manager Gramlich, Treasurer Foehner, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, City Clerk Bellm, one member of new media, and 4 citizens.
MINUTES
Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2019 Special Session as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2019 Regular Session as attached; seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
PUBLIC FORUM
Citizens’ Requests and Comments:
No comments or requests presented.
Requests of Council:
No comments or requests were made.
Staff Reports:
City Manager Latham reported the streetscape committee that has met three times fired a
company to design way-finding signage. Before the council is three designs to select from. As far as signage, Option 2 seems to be the one favored most. Also, included the in packet, before the council, are maps showing where the signage would be placed. IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) will be putting the resurfacing of Broadway out for bid in September; we will begin to incorporate the signage with that project.
City Manager Latham reported that out at the roundabout, they will begin asphalt over the concrete tomorrow. They have shifted traffic and rotated from right side to the left. Another two weeks, hopefully, traffic will be back to normal.
Mayor Michaelis asked City Manager Latham to talk a little about the new pipeline that is going on just north of town. Several of citizens have asked him about the project. City Manager Latham deferred to Public Works Director Joe Gillespie, who reported Ameren is replacing a ten-inch high- pressure gas line through the area. Some of it is being done open cut and some directional bore. They have given no timeline to complete the project. This is Ameren Illinois project. Precision Pipeline, the primary contractor, does most of the work. Mayor Michaelis clarified they are replacing an existing line. Director Gillespie replied yes. I do not know that it is following the exact route of the old pipeline, but some of the areas it does. City Manager Latham added we have had a lot of questions about it.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill #19-62/ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 18 – Buildings, Building Regulations, and Municipal Codes, Specifically, the 2012 International Building Code, to Provide New Inspection Requirements for New Construction of One and Two Family Homes – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to postpone to the July 15, 2019 Meeting as Councilman Hipskind wanted to be here for this discussion. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Item postponed.
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Mayor’s Reappointment to the Tree Commission – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the mayor’s re-appointment of Kathryn Comish, Steven (Tom) Mifflin, and Robert Kent Coleman to the Tree Commission, for additional three-year terms, to expire July 2022 as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #19-80/ORDINANCE Declaring Water Treatment Plant Boat and Trailer Surplus and Authorizing Its Sale – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #19-80/Ordinance #2946 declaring Water Treatment Plant Boat and Trailer surplus and authorizing its sale as attached; seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #19-81/RESOLUTION Authorizing Execution of Loan Agreement with IEPA for $11,000,000 for Modifications to the Water Reclamation Facility (IEPA Project #L172586) – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Bill #19-81/Resolution #19-07-2627 authorizing execution of loan agreement with IEPA for $11,000,000 for modifications to the Water Reclamation Facility (IEPA Project #L172586) as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Bill #19-82/RESOLUTION Waiving Normal & Customary Bidding Procedures and Authorizing Purchase of Technical Support and Annual Maintenance Agreement with Tantalus Systems Inc., to Facilitate the Functionality of the City’s Smart Grid Meter Network – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #19-82/Resolution #19-07-2628 waiving normal & customary bidding procedures and authorizing purchase of technical support and annual maintenance agreement with Tantalus Systems Inc., to facilitate the functionality of the city’s smart grid meter network as attached; seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm voted aye, none nay. Mayor Michaelis voted aye. Motion carried.
REPORT
Approve Warrant #1134 – Councilman Frey made a motion to approve Warrant #1134 as attached; seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.
Mayor Michaelis stated I want to re-visit something we discussed, previously, about the properties the city purchased on Main Street. I have visited the area several times. There was discussion about saving the trees that were on those lots. Those trees are up on a mound. I am not an expert on the trees, but I am not sure that we can create a parking lot with the trees the way they are. Also, several of the trees are Walnut trees, which I certainly am not going to park under a Walnut tree. Councilwoman Bellm agreed, if they have to come down, they have to come down. If the wood is good and there is value to them, then we should try to do what we can to make the best of the trees. Mayor Michaelis reported, there is a gentleman that lives on Poplar Street. His name is Bert Elliott. He offered his services in this way. He comes to Spring Bloom Festival and several local events and does demonstrations. In previous conversations, he agreed that he would take the wood to a different location, saw it, and deliver it to the high school. Their shop students build furniture, which is given to local charities. Councilman Frey agreed it sounds like a good project. Mayor Michaelis stated I would hope that if there is any big fallen tree around town to make use of those good woods. It goes back to the community. Councilwoman Bellm agreed, if they can not be attractively incorporated into the parking area. They should be put to good use.
Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to temporarily adjourn this regular session to enter into executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) to discuss approval of executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, and Bellm voted aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:19pm.
Mayor Michaelis reconvened the Regular Session at 7:31pm. Council members Sloan, Frey, and Bellm were present. Councilman Hipskind was absent. Others in attendance were City Manager Latham, City Attorney McGinley, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, and City Clerk Bellm.
Mayor Michaelis stated that nothing discussed in Executive Session would be acted upon tonight
Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Frey. All council members voted aye, none nay. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:32pm.
http://www.highlandil.gov/Public_Documents/HighlandIL_CouncilMin/I068BD167.0/07-01-2019.pdf
Alerts Sign-up