Human Relations Commission, arts groups prepare to repaint Black Lives Matter mural

Highland Park councilors discussed a plan to repaint the borough’s Black Lives Matter mural and to document council support with a resolution; no binding financial commitment or formal vote occurred at the work session.

Council discussion began when the Human Relations Commission asked the council to endorse repainting the mural, which commissioners and council members said had weathered over time. Council member Jason spoke for the Human Relations Commission and said the commission recommended refreshing the mural; the Highland Park Arts Collective and the Arts Commission were identified as partners and volunteers for the repainting.

Council members debated whether a formal resolution was necessary. Borough counsel said a resolution was not legally required to repaint the mural but recommended it as a way to demonstrate governing‑body support and public involvement. Several members favored a resolution to show consensus and to record support publicly; others said repainting could be done as a volunteer‑led effort that would not require a municipal purchase.

Speakers discussed logistics: volunteers and the Arts Collective offered to supply paint and labor; the artwork could be retouched to make lettering more even or kept as a simple repaint. One councilor asked about durable street‑qualified paint and noted additives used to reduce slipperiness; staff and volunteers indicated they would ensure materials are appropriate for roadway use. Council members discussed timing and noted an interest in completing the work in time to coincide with Juneteenth events, if possible.

Council members also asked staff to incorporate minor technical corrections to the draft resolution, including the mural’s origin date and the names of organizations involved (members requested the resolution explicitly recognize the Highland Park Arts Collective, the Arts Commission and the Human Relations Commission). No contracting or procurement action was approved; council members were advised that any larger redesign or commissioning of a new mural that exceeded municipal procurement thresholds could require formal bidding and a different approval path.

Next steps: staff will circulate an updated resolution text incorporating the requested corrections and coordinate timing and paint specifications with the Arts Collective and Human Relations Commission. No formal funding or contract award was approved at the work session.