HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 11.7.23 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appearance
The City Council voted to approve a new front entrance door and business signage for Next Level Retail (134 North Ave.).
Appointments
The City Council voted to approve the following Mayoral appointment:
Nancy Pastroff to the Library Board of Trustees for a 3-year term
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $226k.
To levy property taxes, State law requires cities to – among other things - pass an annual tax levy ordinance that includes the amount(s) to be levied and the purpose(s) for the same. The City Council continued discussion of funding levels for the 2023 tax year levy and voted to approve a resolution estimating the total levy amount. The estimated 2023 levy is $1,720,803, which represents a 4.9% (or $80,381) increase from the 2022 levy.; for a property valued at $320k, the estimated 2023 levy would increase property taxes by approximately $54 when compared with last year. The 2023 levy ordinance (i.e., the final) is expected to be voted on later this year. My initial preference was to keep the 2023 levy flat; however, after considering high inflation and consumer prices, the past several years of relatively low to no levy increases and - in light of significant mandatory or otherwise necessary expenditures on the horizon - the heedlessness of kicking the inevitable levy increase can to future City Councils, I concluded that a 4.9% increase is more reasonable, voted in favor of the estimate and will likely vote in favor of the final later this year.
Parks & Public Spaces
Highland Park recently approved a new parking restriction on several Highland Park streets in Fort Sheridan (affected streets listed below). The restriction prohibits on-street parking from April 1st to October 31st and on holidays, except for vehicles displaying a Fort Sheridan parking permit (of which residents on the affected streets may obtain from Highland Park). The City Council discussed the potential impact of the restriction on Highwood residents and streets and continued further discussion to a future meeting.
Bradley Ct. (east side)
Gilgare Ln. (west side)
Leonard Wood East (east side)
Leonard Wood North (north side)
Logan Loop (both sides)
MacArthur Loop (both sides)
Patten Rd. (both sides)
Scott Loop (both sides)
Whistler Rd. (both sides)
Personnel
Assistant City Manager, Christopher Martin, is retiring later this month. Mayor Pecaro issued a proclamation expressing the City’s appreciation for Christopher’s service to the community and declaring November 7, 2023 as “Christopher Martin Day.” A framed copy of the proclamation was presented to Christopher.
Earlier this year, the State passed a new law known as the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The new law - which becomes effective on January 1, 2024 - requires the City (and most other employers in the State) to offer 40 hours of paid leave to employees on an annual basis. The City is already compliant with the new law as it relates to its full-time employees, but needs to revise its related policy for part-time employees. The City Council directed City staff to draft a resolution to modify the City’s personnel manual for consideration at a future meeting.
Public Comment
A resident expressed concerns about the impact of the above-detailed new parking restriction on several Highland Park streets in Fort Sheridan and asked the City to assist with maximizing nearby available parking for visitors to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve and Openlands Lakeshore Preserve properties.
Real Estate
The business and property owner of the Animal Medical Center at Fort Sheridan (720 Sheridan Rd.) inquired with the City about purchasing City-owned land between the subject property and the railroad tracks with the intent of expanding the business’s existing parking lot. The City Council directed staff to negotiate a purchase contract for consideration at a future meeting.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from October 17, 2023.
Highwood Library’s November newsletter is here.
Highwood Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Bingo event will be held on Sunday, November 12th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); information re this event as well as other Chamber of Commerce events can be found here.
Highwood Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Fest event will be held on Saturday, November 25th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Highwood City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.); information re this event as well as other Chamber of Commerce events can be found here.
Celebrate Highwood's Elf Invasion Pub Crawl event will be held on Saturday, December 2nd from 2:00 pm to bar close at multiple locations in downtown Highwood; information re this event as well as other Celebrate Highwood events can be found here.
Meeting Records