Highland City Council approves $195,115 playground purchase, reappointments and addresses Broadway underpass safety concerns

The Highland City Council on June 15 approved a series of routine actions — including waiving bidding to buy new playground equipment for Glik Park for $195,115 and authorizing a $72,975.40 Ferno power‑load stretcher — and heard from a resident who raised safety and maintenance concerns about the Broadway and Lemon Street underpass.

Mayor Kevin B. Hemann opened the meeting and read a proclamation recognizing the Silver Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for donating an American Flag sculpture placed at the Louis Latzer Library; “The sculpture is very beautiful,” Hemann said. The council then unanimously approved the minutes from its June 1 meeting and moved through multiple special-event approvals, including the Madison County Fair (July 21–26, 2026) and a St. Paul School open house road closure on Aug. 10.

During public comment, resident Ashley Deibert-Alier told the council that her family, which has lived at the Broadway/Lemon intersection since 2017, is concerned about an underpass that she says is eroding and poses safety risks for children who play on nearby grates. “As a family of five, with one on the way, the condition of this structure directly impacts the residents there,” Deibert‑Alier said, adding she had experienced delays and unclear responsibility between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the city.

City Manager Conrad responded to the complaint, saying, “I apologize for the miscommunication with staff.” Conrad said the structure is owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation but maintained by the city, and that IDOT has been consulted to locate archival designs; he said engineers from both agencies will need to determine repair or fill options. Parks Director Brad Koehnemann noted the structure’s long history in local use, saying it was reported to have been built in 1928.

On procurement and equipment, the council approved Bill #26‑76/RESOLUTION #26‑06‑3288 to purchase playground equipment from Hutchinson Recreation & Design under Sourcewell pricing for $195,115. Parks staff estimated installation this fall and discussed using the Highland Happenings app and social media to update residents on timing. The council also adopted Bill #26‑78/RESOLUTION #26‑06‑3289 authorizing purchase of a Ferno Power Load Stretcher for $72,975.40 for use on the city’s third truck, and passed ordinances declaring several pieces of city property surplus, including a Ferno manual load stretcher and a 2008 combination sewer cleaner truck.

Council members approved the mayor’s reappointments to the Library Board of Trustees — Joshua Short, Nancy Genteman and Jeffrey Hebrank — to terms expiring June 30, 2029, and reappointed Linda Montayne to the Tree Commission for a term expiring July 2029. The council also authorized a professional services agreement with Moran Economic Development to lead the comprehensive plan process, with a projected timeline of about 14 months starting in July.

Staff reported the city submitted a proposal to be a test site for the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency battery energy storage pilot and expects notice on selection within about 60 days; staff also noted a local broadcast uncertainty related to FanDuel’s bankruptcy and the NHL Blues schedule and said they will notify residents when the channel is known. The council accepted Expenditures Report #1316 for May 30–June 12, 2026 and adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

Next steps: staff said they will continue coordination with IDOT on the Broadway underpass issue and will return updates to the council; Moran Economic Development’s comprehensive-plan work is expected to begin in July.