Highland Park council opens towing bids, approves graffiti ordinance first reading and awards stormwater contract — votes and next steps

The Highland Park City Council on Monday opened municipal bids for vehicle towing, storage and cleanup services, referred the bids to administration for review, approved first readings of a graffiti ordinance and a rental‑registration ordinance, and authorized a contract award for a stormwater management project.

Bid opening and referral: Council opened four bids for towing and storage services; the chair read rates from bids submitted by Dolce and Sons Towing, Troy Towing, Boulevard and Trumbull Towing, and Official Towing (detailed rates were entered into the record). Councilwoman Manuka moved to open the bids and later moved to refer all bids to the administration for evaluation; the chair called the roll and the motion to refer passed. Administration will review the bids and return a recommendation and a proposed contract award to council.

Graffiti ordinance: Council approved the first reading of a new ordinance to regulate graffiti, making graffiti defacement a prohibited act and giving property owners 30 days to remove defacement (weather permitting) or else authorizing the city to remove it and charge the owner — unpaid charges would become a lien. The draft also establishes civil fines (transcript lists $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense within one year) and gives the city reinspection and enforcement authority. The first reading passed by roll call.

Stormwater contract: Council approved a resolution authorizing a contract award to a civil contractor for the 2023 stormwater management improvement program (contractor name appears in the record with slightly varying spellings). Council approved the resolution and directed administration to finalize the contract and schedule project work.

Votes at a glance

- Vehicle towing/storage bids (bid opening): motion to open bids carried on roll call (motion by Councilwoman Manuka; support by Councilwoman Martin). Four bids were read into the record. The motion to refer the bids to administration for review passed on roll call; administration will evaluate and return a recommendation.

- Graffiti ordinance (first reading): approved by roll call (first reading only; second reading required for adoption). Transcript records civil fines and a 30‑day removal requirement.

- Stormwater management contract (resolution authorizing award): approved by roll call; administration directed to finalize the contract.

What’s next: Administration will prepare the towing‑bid evaluation and a recommendation for council. The graffiti and rental ordinances were approved for first reading and will return to council for further amendment and a required second reading before final adoption. The stormwater contract will be finalized by the water/public works department and implementation scheduled.

Council and staff repeatedly directed residents and councilmembers to submit proposed ordinance changes in writing to the mayor’s office so legal staff can incorporate edits ahead of the second reading.