HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 1.7.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $533k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024.
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new regulations, which require the city — and most other community water suppliers in the country — to identify and replace lead service lines and certain galvanized service lines by 2037 (service lines are the pipes that bring water from the city’s main supply directly into homes and businesses). The requirements of the new federal regulations supersede similar requirements from a 2021 state law. To fund these mandated improvements, along with other upgrades to its water system, the city will likely need to take out one or more loans. To qualify for these loans and afford the connected payments, the city will need to raise additional revenues. The City Council discussed various options for raising additional revenues (e.g., increasing the local sales tax rate, adding a fee to water bills etc.) and continued further discussion to a future meeting.
Infrastructure
To comply with new water testing regulations issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the city requested a proposal from Cornwell Engineering Group to complete a lead and copper corrosion control treatment evaluation for its water system. The City Council voted to accept the proposal at a cost of $43k.
Parks & Public Spaces
In 2022, the city purchased 340 Green Bay Rd. for the purpose of expanding Everts Park. The blighted building on the property was subsequently demolished and the site has since been used for temporary surface parking. The city recently completed design and engineering work for the park expansion (final renderings here and here) and opened a request for construction bids. Summarized below are the three bids received, all under the high end of the city’s original cost estimate:
A Jules Construction for $397k
Integral Construction $441k
Mariani Landscape $441k
The City Council directed city staff to obtain additional information from A Jules Construction re their bid specifications and continued further discussion to a future meeting.
Public Comment
Highland Park resident Sharone Marck, a candidate for the North Shore School District 112 Board of Education, introduced herself to the City Council.
Public Safety
Last month, the city’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners conducted promotional interviews for Police Department Sergeants. Five candidates interviewed for three openings, and Officers Brandon Taylor, Clay Plumtree, and Yamil Rivera were promoted.
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).
Special Events
In anticipation of receiving permit applications for special events in 2025, city staff requested initial feedback from the City Council. The City Council provided varied feedback that included prioritizing the continued permitting of the Evening Gourmet Markets and reducing the overall number of permitted events compared to 2024, including a reduction in those held in Everts Park and those featuring carnivals.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from December 3, 2024.
The Library & Community Center’s January newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s January newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event will be held on January 30th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at American Place Casino (4011 Fountain Sq., Waukegan, IL 60085); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner + Business Celebration event will be held on February 3rd from 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm at the Highwood Bocce Club (440 Bank Ln.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Bingo at Buffo's event will be held on February 23rd from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
Meeting Records