HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 6.4.24 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appearance
A representative for the owner of the gas station at 104 Washington Ave. presented various signage options for its rebranding from Citgo to BP, including pole, canopy and monument signs. While no formal action was taken, the City Council suggested the representative proceed by submitting an appearance review application that includes a canopy sign.
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $70k.
The City Council continued discussion of a draft operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year and voted to approve the same. The approved budget includes:
no new debt
maintenance of cash reserves above the recommended funding level
police body and vehicle cameras
infrastructure improvements and assessments (e.g., installation of a new sanitary sewer system along Sheridan Rd.; repairs of an existing sanitary sewer system along Prairie Ave.; reconstruction of Bank Ln.; roadway preventative maintenance on various streets; sidewalk repairs on various streets; water treatment facility condition assessment; reduction of lead water service lines)
park improvements and public art installations (e.g., construction of a new park at 341 Waukegan Ave.; creation of murals on the exterior walls of 12 buildings)
A tax increment financing (TIF) district is a tool used by municipalities to spur economic development in blighted and deteriorating areas. Over 500 Illinois municipalities have TIF districts (along with municipalities in all but one other state). The city’s TIF district was established in 2002 to last for a period of 23 years. In 2021, with the required letters of support from overlapping local government units (e.g., North Shore School District 112, Township High School District 113), the state’s General Assembly voted to extend the city’s TIF district an additional 12 years to 2037. City staff reported that the financial performance of the city’s TIF district for the period of 2018 to 2024 has outperformed expectations.
Infrastructure
The state’s Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) is a usage tax on motor vehicles and recreational watercraft, based on fuel purchases. The city receives a per capita share of this tax revenue. To use MFT revenues to fund transportation infrastructure projects, the city must adopt a resolution declaring the project's intent and funding allocation, and submit it to the Illinois Department of Transportation for approval. The City Council voted to adopt a resolution to use $350k in MFT revenues to help fund the reconstruction of Bank Ln.; the project includes new curb, gutter and sidewalk, resurfacing of the roadway as well as adjacent parking areas and a sanitary system connection that runs through the street’s right-of-way.
Public Comment
A resident, representing a group of neighbors near Everts Park, requested the city to paint parking spaces on the west side of Palmer Ave.
Public Works
I recently attended a meeting with representatives from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Lakeshore Recycling Systems and Lake Forest-based Reynolds Consumer Products. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce a new optional recycling program that is expected to be activated later this year. The program involves collecting hard-to-recycle plastics (e.g., chip bags, candy wrappers, granola bar wrappers, salad bags, cheese bags, plastic grocery bags, foam egg cartons, foam to-go boxes, plastic straws, plastic utensils etc.) by way of dedicated (Hefty ReNew) bags that can be filled and placed in existing recycling containers with standard loose recyclables (e.g., paper, cans, glass etc.). The collected hard-to-recycle plastics are then converted into resources like park benches, lumber and drainage materials. There is not expected to be any direct cost to the city. The expected direct cost to residents who choose to participate in the program is $8 per year (i.e., 1 carton of 20 bags). Additional meetings are planned and more information re the new program is forthcoming.
Real Estate
In 2000, the city and the owner of 410 Sheridan Rd. (currently occupied by Maria’s Bakery & Himalayan Curry Hut) entered into an easement agreement. The agreement granted the city use of certain private property to the south of the building (to be used for public parking) and the owner use of certain public property to the west of the building (to be used for private parking and storage of waste receptacles). The owner previously requested the city to consider entering into a new easement agreement to clarify some ambiguities in the original agreement (with no material changes to the aforementioned uses), which would help the owner eventually sell the property. The City Council voted to approve a clarified easement agreement.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from May 7, 2024.
The Library & Community Center’s June newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s June newsletter is here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market event will be held on Wednesdays through August 28th (excluding July 3rd) from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); 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