Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highland City Council approves $2 million sewer loan amendment, raises façade program to $75,000
Summary
Highland’s City Council on Jan. 6 approved a set of motions and resolutions, including a $2 million loan-closing amendment with the Illinois EPA for sanitary sewer rehabilitation and an increase of the Business District A façade improvement fund to $75,000. The council also confirmed a Library Board appointment and authorized several contracts and purchases.
The Highland City Council voted Jan. 6 to approve a series of resolutions and an ordinance amendment, including a finalized $2 million loan amendment with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Rehabilitation Project and a boost to the Business District A façade improvement program to $75,000.
City Manager Clint Conrad told the council the sanitary sewer project “went down by just over $200,000. Therefore, the loan will be for $2M rather than $2.2M; this is the reason for the amendment.” The council approved the loan-closing amendment (Bill #25-02/Resolution #25-01-3154) by roll call vote; Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper voted aye.
The council also approved Bill #25-06 (Ordinance #3373), amending Ordinance 3335 to increase the façade improvement program allocation for Business District A to $75,000. Coordinator Mallord Hubbard said the additional funds come from the business district tax, adding: “it comes from the additional 1% tax in the business districts.” That measure passed on the council’s vote.
Other business approved included the mayor’s appointment of Jeffrey Hebrank to the Library Board of Trustees to fill a vacant term ending June 30, 2026; a resolution supporting fair housing (Bill #25-01/Resolution #25-01-3153); and several administrative agreements and purchases. The council approved an employee lease agreement with GovTempsUSA (Bill #25-03/Resolution #25-01-3155) to bring in a retired former finance director to assist with the city’s transition to Tyler software. Mayor Kevin Hemann noted the appointee’s experience with Tyler, and Conrad told the council the consultant is helping “transition and put new processes into place.”
Council members unanimously authorized a contract with Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. for help with state grants and economic development (Bill #25-04/Resolution #25-01-3156); Conrad said the city had used that firm earlier and “we were very impressed,” and that the city lacks enough ongoing work to justify a permanent grant writer on staff. The council also waived competitive bidding and authorized purchase of meter communication modules from Tantalus Systems, Inc. for $19,023 (Bill #25-05/Resolution #25-01-3157).
During public comment, citizen John Kapp praised the Optimist Shootout and thanked city crews for clearing streets. “The city crews did a great job cleaning the streets off,” Kapp said. Mayor Hemann responded, “we always appreciate your positive comments.” Public Works Director Joe Gillespie credited help from the water and sewer division and praised staff planning by Clint Conrad.
The council accepted Expenditures Report #1281 (Dec. 14, 2024–Jan. 3, 2025). The roll call on that item was Sloan, Frey and Bellm voting aye; Councilman Napper abstained. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Approve minutes of Dec. 16, 2024 — motion by Barbara Bellm, second Frey; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Appoint Jeffrey Hebrank to Library Board (term to June 30, 2026) — motion by Frey, second Bellm; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Bill #25-01 / Resolution #25-01-3153 (supporting fair housing) — motion by Bellm, second Napper; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Bill #25-02 / Resolution #25-01-3154 (IEPA loan-closing amendment for PW-19-19) — motion by Frey, second Bellm; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). Loan amount adjusted to $2,000,000 (reduced from ~$2.2M). • Bill #25-03 / Resolution #25-01-3155 (employee lease with GovTempsUSA for finance consultant) — motion by Bellm, second Frey; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Bill #25-04 / Resolution #25-01-3156 (contract with Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc.) — motion by Frey, second Bellm; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Bill #25-05 / Resolution #25-01-3157 (waive bidding; purchase meter communication modules from Tantalus Systems, Inc., $19,023) — motion by Bellm, second Napper; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm, Napper aye). • Bill #25-06 / Ordinance #3373 (amend Ordinance 3335; increase façade program allocation to $75,000) — motion by Frey, second Bellm; outcome: approved (Sloan, Bellm, Napper aye). • Accept Expenditures Report #1281 — motion by Bellm, second Frey; outcome: approved (Sloan, Frey, Bellm aye; Napper abstained).
The council’s next regular meeting date was not stated during the session.
