HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 6.17.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appointments
The Library & Community Center’s Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance, finances, property, and services of. The Board consists of nine members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council, each serving a three-year term. The City Council voted to reappoint Lucy Hospodarsky, Bertha Chavez, and Paul Martinez to the Board.
Many thanks to Lucy, Bertha, and Paul for their longstanding and impactful contributions to the Board.
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $365k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025.
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 2025-26 fiscal year. The draft budget includes:
no new debt
maintenance of cash reserves above the recommended funding level
creation of a new Water Infrastructure Fund to separate revenues earmarked to fund mandated replacements of lead water service lines
infrastructure improvements and maintenance (e.g., resurfacing of Washington Ave; resurfacing of Western Ave., south of Prairie Ave., in conjunction with Highland Park; 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 installing a new mural and irrigation system across the entire site; installing benches and a sculpture at the new park near Bent Fork Bakery; replacing existing street name signs and poles with decorative alternatives; planting new trees, etc.)
public safety training and equipment (e.g., enrolling a recently promoted police sergeant in Northwestern’s police staff & command training; maintaining police officer body cameras and installing dashboard cameras in police vehicles; acquiring vehicle barriers for special events, etc.)
The City Council
Licensing
The owners of The Mean Wiener (532 Sheridan Rd.) applied for a Class D liquor license and passed the required background checks. This license permits the sale of beer and wine for consumption on premises as well as the sale of packaged beer and wine for consumption off premises. The City Council voted to amend the city code to increase the number of available Class D licenses by one so that the Mayor can grant the requested license.
Parks & Public Spaces
The Everts Park expansion project at 340 Green Bay Rd. is underway (final renderings here and here). The contractor has excavated, removed contaminated soil (site was previously used as gas station and auto repair shop), completed grading, framed and poured a concrete mural wall, installed underground stormwater infrastructure, and formed and poured a concrete walking path. The next phase of the project will focus on installing electrical infrastructure and an irrigation system. The project is on schedule to be completed in June.
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 the 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
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from May 20, 2025.
The Library & Community Center’s May newsletter is here.
Highwood American Legion Post 501’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 25th at 10:30 am outside of City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.).
The Chamber of Commerce’s Ribbon Cutting event for Deere Park will be held on May 29th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Deere Park (200 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market event will be held on Wednesdays from June 4th through August 27th (excluding July 2nd) from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Everts Park (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Highwood Historical Cocktail Tour event will be held on Wednesdays from June 4th through August 27th (excluding July 2nd) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at various locations (departure point is the Celebrate Highwood booth at Everts Park/111 North Ave.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Kick-Off to Summer Carnival event will be held from June 6th through June 8th at the Metra Station parking lot (111 North Ave.); additional information here.
Meeting Records