Highland council approves multiple permits, capital bids and liquor-license changes; $2.5M trail grant announced

Highland’s City Council approved a package of routine measures and heard several community updates during its July 7 regular session. Councilmembers voted unanimously to approve special-event permits, multiple municipal lettings and contracts, an ordinance adjusting liquor-license counts to accommodate a downtown relocation, and a $2.5 million enhancement grant to extend the Sursee Trail to the new primary school property.

City Manager Chris Conrad announced the trail grant, saying, “a month ago, we were notified that Highland received an enhancement program to extend the Sursee Trail … The grant is worth $2.5M.” Conrad told the council the grant is one of two applications the city submitted to improve access around the new school and that a separate roadway-improvement grant is still pending.

The council approved several event permits requested during the public-forum segment: Treats on the Streets for Oct. 30, 2025 (an event Marshall Rinderer said typically attracts about 1,000 children), the Street Art Festival (Sept. 20, with a Sept. 21 rain date) and the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade (Nov. 28), both requested by Highland Chamber Executive Director Taylor Sheeley. Kurt Vonderhaar, representing Highland Speedway, promoted a World of Outlaws race scheduled for Aug. 13, noting it draws attendees from “25+ states” and offers “a total of $75,000 in winnings.”

A resident, Ashley Eck of Dolphin Drive West, presented 144 petition signatures from neighbors on Lakeland Terrace and Helvetia Drive asking the council to address speeding and to consider traffic controls such as signs or speed bumps. Councilwoman Sloan said she is familiar with the area; City Manager Conrad asked Eck for contact information and said staff will perform traffic studies to identify peak times for targeted enforcement.

On infrastructure and maintenance, councilmembers approved municipal lettings for Glik Park parking-lot reconstruction (adding about 35–40 spaces and an ADA stall near the Rotary Soccer Fields), CIPP sewer rehabilitation, street resurfacing and spillway improvements. The council awarded a sealing contract for shared-use paths to McConnell’s of St. Louis, Inc., for $31,792.

The council also approved several formal bills and resolutions: an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for municipal maintenance of state highways (Bill #25-78/Resolution #25-07-3205); a sole-source annual support agreement with Tantalus Systems, Inc., for $55,376.60 (Bill #25-79/Resolution #25-07-3206); and an emergency purchase to replace three rooftop HVAC units damaged in the March 2025 storm for $28,500 (Bill #25-80/Resolution #25-07-3207). Director Dan Cook said the insurance company has assessed the damage and that insurance will cover most costs; the new units will receive hail guards.

Councilmembers approved façade-improvement incentives for 2365 Plaza Drive under the city program and issued a D2 liquor license to DJR Properties LLC on behalf of Chippers. Councilwoman Bellm said the façade project “looks like a really good addition.” The council also adopted an ordinance (Bill #25-82/Ordinance #3397) adding a Code section on interfering with police and fire officers; Chief Carole Widman explained the drafting choice was intended to avoid the negative connotations associated with resisting or obstruction charges.

The meeting opened with recognition of Chief Carole Widman’s certification from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Kirk Brueggeman described the certification as requiring a rigorous written exam and review of professional experience and praised Widman’s record.

Votes at a glance (all roll-call votes as recorded): • Approval of June 16, 2025 minutes — aye 4, no 0. • Treats on the Streets permit (Oct. 30, 2025) — aye 4, no 0. • Street Art Festival and Lighted Christmas Parade permits — aye 4, no 0. • Bid lettings and awards: Glik Park (PR-09-25), CIPP Sewer (PW-03-25), Street Resurfacing (PW-07-25), Spillway Improvement (PW-10-25) — aye 4, no 0. • Award PW-05-24 (sealing paths) to McConnell’s — $31,792 — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-78 (IDOT IGA) — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-79 (Tantalus) — $55,376.60 — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-80 (emergency HVAC purchase) — $28,500 — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-81 (façade incentive to Steve Heimsath) — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-82 (code amendment re: police/fire) — ordinance adopted — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-83 (FOIA officers) — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-84 (liquor-license count adjustments) — aye 4, no 0. • Bill #25-85 (issue D2 license to DJR Properties/Chippers) — aye 4, no 0. • Acceptance of Expenditures Report #1293 — aye 4, no 0.

The meeting concluded with unanimous approval to adjourn at 7:17 p.m. The council did not take up further public hearings or extended debate on the measures listed.