HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 9.3.24 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appearance
The owners of the gas station at 104 Washington Ave. applied for approval of new business signage to facilitate rebranding from Citgo to BP. The City Council voted to approve the new business signage with the condition that the existing nearby pole sign, which is no longer an allowable sign type, be removed.
Appointments
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners oversees hiring, promotion, and discipline for most Police Department personnel and sets related rules. The Board consists of three members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. The City Council voted to approve the appointment of resident Chris Meter to the Board for a 3-year term.
The Police Pension Board is responsible for administering the police pension fund (e.g., contributions, investments, disbursements, eligibility determinations, disability benefits etc.). The Board consists of 2 members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council, 2 members elected by and from the active participants of the fund, and 1 member elected by and from the beneficiaries. The City Council voted to approve the appointment of resident Chris Meter to the Board for a 2-year term.
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $468k.
Licensing
The owners Funky Boba (336-338 Green Bay Rd.) applied for a class A liquor license and passed the required background check. This license permits the sale of beer, wine and spirits for consumption on premises. The City Council continued discussion of the application and voted to approve issuing the license.
Parks & Public Spaces
The US Supreme Court recently upheld local laws that regulate camping on public property. Subsequently, the Illinois Municipal League developed a model ordinance for municipalities to consider adopting. The model ordinance prohibits camping on public property, enables removal of campsites with 24-hour notice (exceptions apply for immediate removal) and notification to social services, and imposes penalties for violations (within a rolling 24-month period). The City Council continued discussion of the model ordinance and voted to approve adopting the ordinance.
Public Comment
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors requested one-time funding of $20k to support the Chamber’s programming. The City Council directed city staff to grant the requested funding.
Residents expressed concerns about the potential impacts of a proposed rezoning of a 4-acre property on Westover Rd. to allow its use as a concert hall.
Public Safety
In 2020, the Police Department and North Shore School District 112 entered into an intergovernmental agreement that established a system for reciprocal reporting of criminal offenses committed by students. The Department and District recently reviewed and discussed the terms of the agreement, and mutually decided to draft an amendment to the agreement. The amendment provides for the Department’s limited access to real-time video feeds, as well as recorded video and images, from the District's security cameras. The City Council voted to approve the amended agreement.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from August 6, 2024.
The Library & Community Center’s September newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s September newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Design Week event will be held from September 16th to September 20th at various locations in downtown Highwood; additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival event will be held from October 4th to October 6th at various locations in downtown Highwood; additional information here.
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