HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 4.2.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appearance
The owner of IC Signs & Graphics (522 Sheridan Rd.) applied for approval of new business signage. The City Council voted to approve the proposed flag pole, wall sign, and one of two window signs; a second proposed window sign was denied as it would have caused the total signage area to exceed the maximum allowed.
Engineering
Since 2017, the consulting engineering firm of Christopher B. Burke Engineering has served as City Engineer. The firm recently notified the city of a forthcoming increase in hourly rates for all personnel types, such as engineer, survey, and environmental. The increases vary across personnel types, with the average increase being $9 per hour. The City Council voted to accept the revised fee schedule.
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $271k.
Legal
For the past 15 years, the law firm of Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins has served as City Attorney. The firm recently notified the city of a forthcoming $5 increase in hourly rates for all service categories, such as general legal services, litigation and appeals, and collective bargaining. The City Council voted to accept the revised fee schedule.
Parks & Public Spaces
The Everts Park expansion project at 340 Green Bay Rd. (final renderings here and here) is underway. The contractor has excavated, removed contaminated soil (site was previously used as gas station and auto repair shop), rough graded, framed and poured a concrete mural wall, and started underground utility work. The project is on schedule to be completed in June.
For over a decade, the city has contracted Guy Scopelliti Landscape to supplement city personnel with landscape maintenance (the relationship was technically started with Anthony Scopelliti Landscaping, which merged with Guy Scopelliti Landscape a few years ago). The City Council voted to approve an agreement with Guy Scopelliti Landscape to provide landscaping services in 2025 in an amount not to exceed $30k, which maintains last year’s service rates.
Recycling
The city is now providing a new optional curbside recycling service. The goal of the service is to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills. Importantly, this new service supplements conventional recycling, it does not replace it. Click here to find a video that animates how the service works and here for additional informational (e.g., free starter kit, where to buy the bags, accepted items).
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from March 18, 2025.
The Library & Community Center’s April newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s April newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting event for La Plancha Loca Cantina will be held on April 11th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at La Plancha Loca Cantina (552 Sheridan Rd.). The event will also celebrate the 6-year anniversary of La Plancha Loca Taqueria; additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast before Business (AI Tools for Everyday Business) event will be held on April 16th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Ladies Night Out: Run for the Roses event will be held on May 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at various locations in downtown Highwood (starting gate is City Hall at 17 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Junk in the Trunk event will be held on May 11th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Metra station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
Meeting Records