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Highland Council approves property sale, equipment purchases, contracts and applies for battery pilot
Summary
At its June 1 meeting, Highland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to declare a surplus lot and authorize its sale, multiple equipment purchases and contracts including a $417,913 construction contract, and authorized applying for IMEA’s battery energy storage pilot program.
The Highland City Council voted unanimously June 1 to approve a package of ordinances, resolutions and procurement actions, including a surplus property declaration and sale, equipment purchases, a construction contract and an application to an Illinois Municipal Electric Agency pilot program.
Councilwoman Barbara Bellm moved to approve Bill #26-69/Ordinance #3452 declaring 355 Courtland surplus and authorizing its sale under 65 ILCS 5/11-76-1 and 5/11-76-2; the motion was seconded by Councilman Napper and approved by roll call (Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper voted aye). City Manager Conrad told council the lot, at the far south end of Courtland, contains a drainage easement and a small detention area that takes up about one-third of the lot and that the city acquired it years ago for a potential pocket park but interest has been limited.
Other unanimous votes included acceptance of Notice of Municipal Letting Bid #PW-04-26 for Clean Sludge Lagoons 2026; declaring a Case backhoe loader surplus (Bill #26-70/Ordinance #3453); waiving bidding and purchasing a 2024 New Holland Series 80C Compact Wheel Loader from Midwest Tractor Sales for $89,500 under Sourcewell pricing (Bill #26-71/Resolution #26-06-3283); approval of Change Order No. 1 for the Aldi access road and sanitary sewer extension reflecting a decrease of $33,210.02 (Bill #26-72/Resolution #26-06-3284); and waiving competitive bidding to authorize a construction contract with Joiner Sheet Metal and Roofing for $417,913.00 under TIPS/Sourcewell pricing (Bill #26-73/Resolution #26-06-3285). Councilwoman Bellm said the Joiner contract allows the city to work with local vendors and City Manager Conrad noted the firm has previously worked with the city.
Council also approved a first amendment to the memorandum of agreement with Heartlands Conservancy to allow cost-sharing for easements, right-of-way purchases and engineering (Bill #26-74/Resolution #26-06-3286), and authorized the mayor and/or City Manager to apply for participation in the IMEA Battery Energy Storage System Pilot Program (Bill #26-75/Resolution #26-06-3287). Director Cook said IMEA would pay fencing, engineering and construction costs if Highland is selected but the city would need to provide a switch to connect to the system.
Council accepted Expenditures Report #1315 for May 16–29, 2026 and then adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
The meeting record shows all listed motions passed by unanimous roll-call votes of the four members present; no dissenting votes were recorded.
