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Highland City Council approves bond authorization, contracts, grants and special events on unanimous votes
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Highland City Council unanimously approved an amended grocery tax ordinance, multiple construction and professional services contracts, authorization to issue bonds for street projects, façade incentives and selected insurance carriers; the council recessed to executive session before reconvening and adjourning.
Highland — The Highland City Council on Oct. 6, 2025 approved a package of routine actions to fund and advance local projects, including authorization to seek bond financing for street work, contracts for building and engineering services, façade-improvement funds for a downtown property and approvals for two special events on the city square.
Mayor Kevin Hemann called the regular session to order at 6:30 p.m. and the council moved through a consent-style agenda. Councilwoman Sloan moved to approve the minutes of the Sept. 15 regular session; the motion was seconded by Councilman Klaus and carried on a roll-call vote with Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper voting aye.
The council approved two special-event permits. Jennifer Shafer requested approval for Highland Community Closet’s Soup On The Square on Nov. 7, 2025; Councilman Napper moved to approve and Councilwoman Bellm seconded. Angelina McLaughlin-Heil requested approval for two Music Recitals On The Square (Oct. 11 and Oct. 18); Councilwoman Bellm moved to approve and Councilman Napper seconded. Both event approvals passed unanimously.
City Manager Conrad reported on public-works activity: the Glik Park parking lot is expected to be finished around Oct. 15; ceiling replacement work at the Weinheimer is expected to take four to six weeks; 7th and 9th Streets have been milled and paving is scheduled to begin next week; crews are painting the peripheral route and will begin cleaning and scoping storm sewers.
On new business the council approved Bill #25-98 (Ordinance #3402), amending Ordinance 3354 to update municipal grocery retailer/service occupation-tax language following guidance from the Illinois Department of Revenue. The council also approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing a $129,294 construction contract with Joiner Sheet Metal and Roofing using the TIPS-USA cooperative (Bill #25-99); City Manager Conrad said TIPS-USA verifies competitive pricing submitted by vendors.
The council authorized a $69,500 professional services agreement with Volkert Inc. for street and sanitary sewer improvements (Bill #25-100) and approved Ordinance #3403 (Bill #25-101) authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds (alternate revenue source) to finance certain street projects. Councilwoman Bellm said the city has worked with Volkert previously.
Economic and development actions included approval of a redevelopment agreement with Sweet Stays, LLC (Bill #25-102) and a façade-improvement award under the city program to Denny Knebel for 2702 State Route 160 (Bill #25-103). The council also approved a professional-services agreement with Moran Economic Development to review and update the city’s zoning and land development codes (Bill #25-104); City Manager Conrad said the review will be a several-month process.
On personnel and benefits items the council accepted Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical, Delta Dental for dental and VSP for vision coverage for 2026–2027 (Bill #25-105) and approved Ordinance #3405 to accept the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC) contract and bylaws and authorize municipal membership (Bill #25-106).
Councilwoman Sloan moved and Councilman Klaus seconded approval of Bill #25-107 (Ordinance #3406) declaring certain city property surplus — including a 2003 Ford F-150 — and authorizing its sale or disposal; City Manager Conrad confirmed the vehicle still runs. The council also accepted Expenditures Report #1299 for Sept. 13 through Oct. 3, 2025 (motion by Councilwoman Bellm, seconded by Councilwoman Sloan).
Councilwoman Bellm moved to temporarily adjourn to executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act exemptions 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for litigation; Councilman Napper seconded and the motion passed. The open meeting was temporarily adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Mayor Hemann reconvened the regular session at 7:43 p.m., and the council then voted to adjourn (motion by Councilwoman Bellm, seconded by Councilman Napper). The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Votes at a glance: All recorded motions and bills were approved on roll-call votes with Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper voting aye.
