Metro East Sun

City of Highland City Council met Jan. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Hemann called the Regular Session to order at 6:30pm at the Highland Area Senior Center. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm, and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney John Hackett, Directors Cook, Gillespie, Heimburger, Ohren, and Presson, EMS Chief Wilson, Coordinator Hubbard, Treasurer Nicolaides, Deputy City Clerk Hediger, City Clerk Bellm, 8 members of the police department, and 14 citizens.  

MINUTES 

Councilman Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2023 Regular Session as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bellm. Roll Call Vote: Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.  

SWEARING IN 

Mayor Hemann administered the official oath to probationary Patrol Officer Elijah Trujillo. 

PUBLIC FORUM 

Citizens’ Requests and Comments: 

No comments or requests presented.  

Requests of Council: 

Mayor Hemann stated he had someone asked me if the city is going to do one group process for hotel/motel tax funds application, this year. City Manager Conrad responded that is what he was going to  discuss in the Staff Reports. 

Staff Reports: 

City Manager Conrad reported we will be reaching out to those that submitted requests this last  year. That process will coincide with the budget process and all applications will come to the council in one bundle. If someone has any questions, they can contact Jackie Heimburger. Councilwoman Sloan asked will they be approved as a group. City Manager Conrad responded they will come in one group;  however, if there are some changes to the amounts on some, the council can choose to do that. Councilwoman Sloan inquired what happens if there is a new one. City Manager Conrad stated we hope to budget conservatively, so that we can handle any additional or stragglers. Groups can reach out  directly to Jackie if they want to.  

Councilman Napper stated he had received some questions regarding the local Subway issue. Is that a City issue or within the building? City Manager Conrad stated he had not heard about it being an issue on the city’s side. From what he had heard, it was within the building. Councilman Napper stated some think the city caused the issue by putting cameras down in there, and things getting tangled up. City  Manager Conrad responded that is news to me. We take care of the sewer from city main to the connection. Anything from there and inside the building is on the property owner. If we had lost a  camera, I would think I would have heard about it.  

REPORTS 

Accepting Expenditures Reports #1257 for Dec. 16, 2023 through Dec. 29, 2023 – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to accept Expenditures Reports #1257 for December 16, 2023 through December 29, 2023 as attached. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Roll Call Vote:  Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper 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 the following exemption: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)21 to review executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Councilman Frey. Open Meeting  temporarily adjourned at 6:38pm.  

Mayor Hemann reconvened the Regular Session at 6:49pm. Council members Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper were present. Others in attendance were City Manager Conrad, City Attorney Hackett, Deputy City Clerk, and City Clerk Bellm.  

NEW BUSINESS 

Bill #24-01/RESOLUTION Regarding Release of Executive Session Minutes – Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to approve Bill #24-01/Resolution #24-01-3071 regarding the release of executive session minutes as attached. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sloan. Roll Call Vote:  Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye, none nay. Motion carried.  

Councilwoman Bellm made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Councilman Napper. All  aye, none nay. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.

https://www.highlandil.gov/City%20Council/Minutes/2024/01-02-2024.pdf