HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 4.7.26 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL

Appearance

  • The owner of Astra Nails & Spa (410 Green Bay Rd.) applied for approval of new business signage. The City Council reviewed the application and directed city staff to request a revision that (1) includes all proposed signage—since the submission only covered wall signage despite existing window signage—and (2) specifies higher-quality materials for the wall signage.

Finance

  • The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $168k.

  • The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026.

  • The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026.

  • 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 2026–27 fiscal year. The draft budget includes, among other items:

    • no new debt

    • cash reserves exceeding three months of General Fund operating expenditures

    • engineering design plans for resurfacing Waukegan Ave./Sheridan Rd., replacing the water main on Prairie Ave., and constructing a public parking lot on Walker Ave.

    • reduction of lead service lines (i.e., the underground pipes that bring water from the city’s main supply directly into homes and businesses)

    • police staff and command training at Northwestern University for a recently promoted police sergeant

    • replacement of playground equipment at Memorial Park (i.e., the “ballpark” on Western Ave.)

The City Council reviewed the draft budget and continued discussion to a future meeting.

  • At the City Council’s most recent strategic planning meeting, a suggestion was made to form a Finance Committee to broaden the group of city officials engaged in proactive, in-depth financial planning and oversight. Mayor Pecaro appointed Alderperson Hanson and me to the committee.

Licensing

  • The owners of Pelago Cafe (325 Waukegan Ave.) applied for a Class D liquor license. This license permits the sale of beer and wine for consumption on premises as well as the retail sale of packaged beer and wine. The City Council voted to adopt an ordinance that increases the number of available Class D licenses by one so that the Mayor can grant the requested license.

Parks & Public Spaces

  • Following a recommendation from the City Council’s Beautification Committee (since dissolved), the City Council previously directed staff to obtain quotes for replacing existing street name signs with decorative alternatives. Staff presented estimated one-time and ongoing annual costs based on quotes from multiple service providers. The City Council discussed this information and directed staff not to proceed further with the project.

Public Safety

  • Click here to find an official information release re the officer involved shooting that occurred yesterday.

Waste & Recycling

  • The city is under contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) for residential and commercial waste and recycling hauling services through March 2027. City staff reported that they consulted with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County on how to approach the upcoming contract expiration. The City Council discussed potential options and directed staff to obtain a contract extension proposal from LRS before deciding whether to issue a request for proposals.

  • The city is now providing a new optional curbside recycling service. The goal of the service is to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills. Importantly, this new service supplements conventional recycling, it does not replace it. Click here to find a video that animates how the service works and here for additional informational (e.g., where to buy the bags, accepted items). The city is currently offering free starter kits at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.) on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Other

  • The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from March 3, 2026.

  • The Library & Community Center’s April newsletter is here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Spill Sessions will be held on April 15th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Merchant (122 North Ave.); additional information here.

  • The Chamber of Commerce’s Ladies Night Out: Run For the Roses will be held on April 23rd from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at various locations around Highwood; additional information here.

Meeting Records

  • A video recording of the Regular Meeting is here.

  • Once approved, minutes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting and Regular Meeting will be linked 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.

*unless otherwise noted, City Council directives and votes were unanimous.

Next

March 3, 2026