HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 6.17.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Appointments
The Library & Community Center’s Board of Trustees governs the organization and oversees its personnel, finances, property, and services. 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 longtime contributions to the Board and by extension our community.
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 voted to approve the draft budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Licensing
The owners of The Mean Wiener (532 Sheridan Rd.) applied for a Class D liquor license and passed the required background check. 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.
Public Comment
The curators of Celebrate Highwood’s 2024 International Mural Festival expressed interest in opening an art gallery and studio space in Highwood.
Waste & Recycling
The city is contracted with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) for residential and commercial waste and recycling services through March 2027. Representatives from LRS apologized for recent service issues (e.g., missed collections), summarized steps to reduce the risk of future issues, and responded to questions from the City Council.
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., free starter kit, where to buy the bags, accepted items).
Zoning
The owner of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory has applied for zoning relief to allow 4 acres of property east of Sheridan Rd. to be used as a concert hall. The property’s current zoning does not allow for concert hall uses. In accordance with state law, the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a second public hearing to consider the application on June 18th at 6:00 pm at Oak Terrace Elementary School (240 Prairie Ave.). The Commission will review the application, make findings of fact, and provide a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the final decision to approve or deny the request. Agenda packet here.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from May 20, 2025.
The Library & Community Center’s June newsletter is here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s June newsletter is here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market event will be held on Wednesdays 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 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.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Junk in the Trunk event will be held on July 13th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Metra station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast before Business event will be held on July 16th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Highwood Days Carnival event will be held from July 17th through July 20th at the Metra Station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Taste of Highwood event will be held from July 18th through July 20th at the Metra Station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
Celebrate Highwood’s Highwood 5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll event will be held on July 19th at 9:00 am (start/finish line is the intersection of Sheridan Rd. and Clay Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Bingo at Buffo’s event will be held on July 27th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
Meeting Records