HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 6.18.24 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL 

Finance

  • The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $750k; the lion’s share of these expenditures are attributable to roadway and sanitary system improvements on Bank Ln. and Sheridan Rd. (contractor = Bolder Contractors) and fire protection and emergency medical aid services (contractor = City of Highland Park).  

  • The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial reports covering the period of May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024.

Proclamation

  • Mayor Pecaro read a proclamation that affirmed the city’s dedication to recognizing the equal rights of all residents and preventing discrimination of individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity, declared June 2024 as “Pride Month” and presented members of Highwood Pride with a framed copy of the proclamation (picture here). 

Public Comment

  • Several residents expressed concerns about how the volume of special events at Everts Park affect the park and nearby residential properties.

Real Estate

  • Earlier this year, the City Council voted to enter into an agreement to purchase the property at 244 Waukegan Ave. at a price of $700k (the building on the property is currently occupied by the Grandi Brothers mechanical repair shop). City staff reported that the city’s environmental and physical inspections of the property had satisfactory outcomes and that the sale is expected to be closed this summer. After the sale is closed, the City Council will continue evaluation of potential commercial, non-commercial and municipal uses for the property.

  • In 2021, the City Council voted to enter into separate agreements to purchase the properties at 454 Green Bay Rd. and 460 Green Bay Rd. at a combined price of $1.15M. After the sales were closed, the buildings on the properties were razed to create a temporary public surface parking lot. City staff reported that it has received requests from residents to utilize the lot for overnight parking of passenger cars. The City Council discussed potentially amending the city’s parking regulations to allow for permit-based overnight parking of passenger cars in the lot and continued further discussion to a future meeting (permit-based overnight parking of passenger cars is presently limited to Clay Ave. and Lakeview Ave.).

Other

  • The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from June 4, 2024.

  • Click here to find pictures of the 12 public art installations created during Celebrate Highwood’s International Mural Festival event.

  • Celebrate Highwood’s Inferno Fest event will be held on June 26th from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast before Business event will be held on July 17th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at Ablaze Design Group (259 Waukegan Ave.); additional information here.

  • Celebrate Highwood’s Margarita Night event will be held on July 17th from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Bingo at Buffo’s event will be held on July 28th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Junk in the Trunk event will be held on August 4th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Metra station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.

  • The city has openings on multiple volunteer boards (e.g., Appearance Review Committee, Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, Firefighters’ Pension Board, Library & Community Center Board of Trustees, Police Pension Board); please contact me if you are interested in learning more about these opportunities.

  • I had reprints made of the rare book, 28 Miles North: A Story of Highwood (Wittelle, 1953); if you would like a free copy, please reply to this email with your address and I will drop one off at your home before long.

Meeting Records

  • A video recording of the Regular Meeting is here.

  • Minutes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting are here and minutes from the Regular Meeting are here.  

    These write-ups are purposefully brief. Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you would like additional details or have questions.

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July 16, 2024

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June 4, 2024