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Highwood council approves routine permits, engineering work and contracts for salt, paving and sweeping
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Highwood City Council approved a series of routine items: an ARC approval for Juniper at 200 Green Bay Road, an amendment to the SWALCO intergovernmental agreement, engineering services for an orthophosphate system at the water plant, purchases of winter salt, and contracts for asphalt patching and street sweeping.
The Highwood City Council on May 5 approved a slate of routine land-use, utility and public-works items, including a design contract for a water-plant chemical system and procurement actions for salt and street maintenance.
Council Chair opened the meeting, confirmed a quorum and led the council in approving minutes from the April 21 meeting before advancing the evening’s business agenda. The council moved, seconded and passed a resolution approving an ARC application for Juniper at 200 Green Bay Road.
The council tabled an ARC application for Astron Nails at 410 Green Bay Road so staff could work further with the applicant. Councilmembers then considered an ordinance amending the intergovernmental agreement that establishes the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO); after a brief explanation that the change would add a position and slightly adjust governance structure, the council approved the ordinance by roll call.
On city operations, the council directed staff to begin replacing residential street signs, discussing an approximate budget of $10,000. "We have a budget for number, don't we? Roughly, $10,000," the chair said during the exchange.
The council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Cornwell Engineering to prepare bid documents and design an orthophosphate storage and feed system at the city water plant. During that discussion a speaker summarized the project in shorthand: "Ortho phosphate. Don't overthink it," reflecting the council's focus on moving the design work forward.
For winter operations, the council accepted a bid from Compass Minerals to purchase up to 1,200 tons of road salt at $95.78 per ton for the 2026–27 winter season and approved the purchase by roll call. Councilmembers confirmed this was an awarded bid and did not require a bidding waiver.
The council also authorized the city manager to spend up to $50,000 for asphalt patching citywide. A figure reported during discussion—"$1,144 per square foot"—was mentioned on the record but not clarified or explained further during the meeting; the council approved the overall $50,000 authorization.
Lastly, members approved contracting for street-sweeping services in an amount not to exceed $29,000, approving a motion to waive bidding and authorize the city manager to execute the contract.
With no further business, the council adjourned. The items approved will move forward to staff implementation steps, including preparation of bid documents, contract execution and scheduling of street-maintenance work.
