Highland City Council approves recreation center improvements, downtown incentives

By Brittany Blackwell 

Reporter • The Highland City Council approved recreation center improvements, downtown incentives and other items at its July 6 meeting. 

Council members authorized the city to seek bids to replace the natatorium lighting at the Korte Recreation Center in Glik Park. Director of Recreation Laura Wilken during the meeting explained that the lights have reached the end of their lifespan and should be replaced. The current lights were installed roughly 10 years ago and have deteriorated due to the harsh environment, according to staff. 

The council also approved a façade improvement reimbursement for Maiden Gall, LLC, at 923 Main St. Improvements are nearly complete and include a new addition, garage doors, sidewalk, ADA entrance tuckpointing and landscaping.

The council also approved soliciting bids for tree trimming services for the city’s electric distribution system. Additional support is needed because vegetation is rapidly encroaching on power lines and some areas require tree climbing in tight spaces, which exceeds the capacity of current staff.

Council members declared a backhoe breaker surplus property, allowing the equipment to be sold or otherwise disposed of because a replacement was purchased. 

Members also approved expenditures covering June 13 through July 3.

Earlier in the meeting, the city opened a sealed bid for surplus property at 355 Courtland. A single bid of $10,001 was received and was to be reviewed in executive session before final approval.

Additionally, Councilman Bill Napper recognized team members from Coldwell Banker Brown who voluntarily placed American flags throughout the city center ahead of Independence Day, thanking them for maintaining this tradition for over two decades.