HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 5.20.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Development
City staff reported that building plans have been approved for new residential housing on a longtime vacant property near the intersection of Prairie Ave. and Burtis Ave. The developer is not requesting any zoning relief or public funding, and therefore the development is considered “by right” and does not require public hearings or City Council approval. The developer’s plan is to build five two-story rowhomes with rooftop decks, basements, and integrated garage parking. The units—arranged in one three-unit and one two-unit building—will face Prairie Ave. with driveway access off Burtis Ave. and include ten uncovered guest parking spaces at the rear (select renderings here, here, and here).
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $99k.
The City Council voted to accept the City Treasurer’s financial report covering the period of May 1, 2024 through March 31, 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 continued discussion of the draft budget to a future meeting.
A Tax Increment Financing district, commonly referred to as a TIF district, is a tool used by municipalities to spur economic development in specific geographic areas that are blighted or deteriorating. There are nearly 1.5k TIF districts across more than 500 municipalities in the state. The city’s TIF district was originally created in 2002 to last for a period of 23 years. In 2021, with the required letters of support from overlapping taxing bodies (e.g., D112, D113), the state’s General Assembly voted to approve a 12-year extension of the city’s TIF district, moving its end date from 2025 to 2037. City staff presented an overview of the city’s TIF district, including its history, use over time, and impact on local development and revenues.
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.
In 2023, the Mayor appointed a Beautification Committee—comprised of three City Council members—to help identify, plan, and prioritize various beautification projects, and ultimately make related recommendations to the City Council. The Committee’s recommendations included:
development of a new park at 341 Waukegan Ave. (completed last year)
installation of 13 public art pieces, including murals and a sculpture (substantially completed last year, remaining piece to be completed this year)
development of an extension to Everts Park at 340 Green Bay Rd. (expected to be completed in June)
replacement of existing street name signs and posts with decorative alternatives (expected to be completed this year)
City staff reported that a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based street sign inventory is nearly complete. Once finalized, they plan to recommend how to source materials and labor to install the sign replacements (the Committee recommended this sign assembly and color palette, excluding the double-sided logo sign).
Public Safety
There have been several recent incidents where individuals deliberately drove vehicles into crowds at public gatherings (e.g., Waukesha, WI, New Orleans, LA etc.). In light of these threats, and the number of special events the city typically permits each year, city staff recommended that the City Council approve the purchase of vehicle barriers to enhance event security. The City Council approved the purchase of vehicle barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group at a cost not to exceed $130k.
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
Vape312 is an existing business located at 502 Sheridan Rd. Vape312’s owners are planning to relocate the business and applied for zoning relief to allow 417 Sheridan Rd. to be used as a vape shop. The property’s current zoning does not allow for vape shop uses. In accordance with state law, the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing to consider the application, made findings of fact, and recommended that the City Council approve the requested zoning relief. The City Council voted to approve the requested zoning relief.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from May 6, 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