HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 3.18.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appearance
The owners of Funky Boba Lounge (336-338 Green Bay Rd.) applied for approval of new business signage. The City Council voted to approve the proposed signage on the front of the building (east-facing) but to deny the proposed signage on the side of the building (north-facing).
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $220k.
State law requires municipalities to use one of two systems to plan and authorize spending: the appropriation ordinance system or the budget officer system. The city uses the appropriation ordinance system, requiring it to adopt an annual appropriation ordinance within the first quarter of each fiscal year. The ordinance must itemize the specific purposes for spending and the amounts allocated to each; it also sets the maximum a municipality may spend during the fiscal year, provided sufficient funds are available. While not legally required, the city also adopts an annual budget for internal operations and planning, which includes not only planned expenditures but also expected revenues. City staff presented a draft budget for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. The draft budget includes:
no new debt
maintenance of cash reserves above the recommended funding level
infrastructure improvements and maintenance (e.g., resurfacing Washington Ave. and upgrading its sanitary sewer system; preventative roadway maintenance on various streets; sidewalk repairs on various streets; replacement of lead water service lines, etc.)
public space improvements and public art installations (e.g., expanding Everts Park and creating a new mural; installing an irrigation system in Everts Park; adding benches and a sculpture at the new park near Bent Fork Bakery; replacing existing street name signs and poles with decorative alternatives; installing wayfinding signs in the business district; planting new trees, etc.)
public safety training and equipment (Northwestern police staff & command training for a newly promoted police sergeant; police officer body cameras and dashboard cameras for police vehicles; vehicle barriers for special events, etc.)
The City Council discussed the draft budget and continued further discussion to a future meeting.
Infrastructure
This spring, the city will be resurfacing Washington Ave (from Western Ave. to Sheridan Rd.). The project also includes upgrading portions of the sanitary sewer system. The Illinois Department of Transportation facilitated the construction bidding process and awarded the contract to Peter Baker & Son. The estimated project cost is $500k, with $100k funded from the federal Surface Transportation Program and $400k from city funds. The city has contracted with Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide project oversight services. Construction is expected to begin on April 21st and be complete within 60 days.
The city prioritizes roadway resurfacing projects based primarily on pavement condition assessments in its street maintenance improvement report. The assessments use a visual survey method and a standard numerical index to rate pavement condition (e.g., new, excellent, very good, good, fair, poor, very poor, failed). Since the report’s last update, the city has resurfaced all of the roadways with the lowest pavement condition ratings, save Washington Ave., which is planned to be resurfaced this year. The City Council reviewed the next set of resurfacing candidates and directed city staff to obtain a proposal for design and engineering services for Carriage Ln., Endicott Rd., First St., Jocelyn Pl., Palmer Ave., Rienzi Ln., Webster Ave., and Westover Rd. Project scheduling will be determined at a later time, with construction probably between 2026 and 2028.
Parks & Public Spaces
The Everts Park expansion project at 340 Green Bay Rd. (final renderings here and here) started last week with the removal of the asphalt parking lot and wooden retaining walls. This week, the contractor plans to remove a concrete foundation from a previous structure and frame and pour the foundation for mural walls. The project is expected to be completed in the summer.
This spring, the city plans to make multiple improvements to the new pocket park at 341 Waukegan Ave. (i.e., alongside Bent Fork Bakery). Planned improvements include installing benches, a sculpture, and parking blocks to separate the park from the adjacent parking lot.
Public Comment
Highland Park resident Ryan Morgan, a candidate for the North Shore School District 112 Board of Education, introduced himself to the City Council.
Highland Park resident Carl Lambrecht expressed concerns about federal taxation policy for local military housing as well as the legality and impacts of local cannabis sales and usage.
Recycling
In 2017, the city became one of the first municipalities in the state to offer curbside organics recycling (i.e., composting). The goal of this service is to divert food waste from landfills, where it accounts for about 20% of the state’s waste—the largest single waste stream in the state. Residents can place food scraps and food-soiled paper or cardboard directly in their organics carts (i.e., the smallest of three issued carts) or use BPI compostable liners or paper bags (additional guidelines here). The organics carts are collected curbside weekly, alongside trash and recycling carts. The city is offering free in-home compost bins at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.) on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Zoning
The owners of Vape312 inquired about relocating their business from 502 Sheridan Rd. to 11 Highwood Ave. The zoning at 11 Highwood Ave. (i.e., MX-1 Downtown Mixed Use) does not permit smoke or vape shop uses without being granted zoning relief. Zoning relief requires the Planning & Zoning Commission to hold at least one public hearing to review the request, make findings of fact, and provide a recommendation to the City Council for approval or denial. The City Council then holds at least one public meeting to consider the Commission's findings and recommendation before making a final decision. The City Attorney outlined the typical timeline for the zoning relief process, and City Council members shared their perspectives. The business owners will now decide whether to apply for zoning relief.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from March 4, 2025.
Early voting for the April 1st Consolidated Election has started at the Library & Community Center (102 Highwood Ave.); additional information here; specimen ballot here.
Alderman Jim Hospodarsky will be holding a community information session for a development proposal from the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC) today, March 19th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Oak Terrace Elementary School (240 Prairie Ave.); additional information here and here.
The community information session is not a city meeting or event, but rather it is being hosted and sponsored directly by Alderman Hospodarsky. Additionally, the linked application does not represent the final application package that will be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council, but rather an application that is posted to MYAC’s website; the final application package - which will be published by the city - will include MYAC’s application along with additional documents such as city staff and consultant reports.
Meeting Records