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Highland City Council unanimously approves bids, events and multiple development agreements
Summary
In a largely procedural session, the Highland City Council unanimously approved a $930,560 water main replacement contract, awarded a $281,000 pickleball-court contract, approved multiple special events and reappointments, issued a liquor license for a renovated indoor/outdoor venue, and adopted development agreements to expand downtown parking.
The Highland City Council on Monday approved a slate of routine and project actions, voting unanimously on bids, special events, appointments and development agreements.
Council members approved awarding the Water Main Replacement 2025 contract (Bid #PW-04-25) to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Inc. of Okawville for $930,560.00 after a motion by Councilwoman Bellm and a second from Councilman Klaus. The council also approved a $281,000 contract to Rooters Construction for Spindler Park pickleball courts and accepted CTR Concrete and Builders Inc.’s $106,044.08 bid for contract E-18-25 after rejecting the low bidder who later requested release.
Among routine approvals, the council granted multiple special-event permits, including the St. Paul drive-thru Spaghetti Dinner (March 8), Highland Community Closet’s Soup on the Square (Nov. 7), an Easter Egg Hunt (March 28) and the Highland Jaycees’ Schweizerfest (June 12–14), and authorized the Highland Market to run weekly on the Square from May through September. Each event request passed on unanimous roll-call votes.
The council approved Mayor Hemann’s appointment of Marcus Alvarado to the Industrial Development Commission and reappointed Ben Eberwein to the Cemetery Board of Managers and Gary Pugh, Randy Ammann and Donald Rommerskirchen to the Silver Lake Commission. It accepted Expenditures Report #1308 covering Jan. 31–Feb. 13, 2026.
On development matters, the council approved a special-use permit and related findings for a planned unit development presented by John Cronin with North Arrow Partners for multiple Flax Drive addresses and approved a preliminary plat for the proposed subdivision. Council also approved two separate development agreements in the Business District Project Area — one with Corranmore Holdings, LLC and one with Shaun Voegele — actions the mayor said will add more than 50 parking spaces near the Square; City Manager Conrad noted the agreements may need extension after ten years.
Council approved a sole-source purchase of a 2022 Ram 1500 Quad Cab from McGinley Incorporated for $29,600, waiving customary bidding procedures to provide a vehicle for Building and Zoning staffing. The council also approved Ordinance #3428 adding Section 46-3 to Chapter 46 of the code to prohibit ice fishing in city parks; City Manager Conrad said the change responds to recent extreme cold events and requests from residents.
On alcohol licensing, the council issued an 'F' liquor license to Tricia Feyerabend and Shannon Hogg for a renovated indoor/outdoor venue on a unanimous vote. “After extensive remodeling we have made an indoor/outdoor venue,” Tricia Feyerabend told the council during the license discussion.
All recorded motions in new business passed on roll-call votes with Councilmembers Klaus, Sloan, Bellm and Napper voting aye and no nays recorded. The council temporarily adjourned into an executive session to discuss personnel under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) and reconvened later the same evening before adjourning.
The council meeting packet and attached documents include detailed bid amounts, ordinance numbers and resolution references for each approved action; the council did not debate most items at length and no opposed votes were recorded.
