City of Evanston Blog
Articles Posted in: November 2009
New Downtown Zoning Website
From our Community Development Department: A new web page has been introduced to support the zoning implementation of the Downtown Plan Update (adopted by Council February 2009). Anticipated to run through Spring 2010, the effort will put the updated Downtown Plan into action in the form of eight new zoning districts and will encompass all of downtown Evanston. You can access the page here or from the Zoning page of the City of Evanston web site The web page will provide general…
Changes to Sanitation Services Presentation
A copy of the Powerpoint presentation from last night's Council meeting on proposed changes to the City's sanitation services can be found here (PDF).…
Continue Reading "Changes to Sanitation Services Presentation" »
Are You a Wireless Telecom Professional?
The City is renegotiating the lease of cell site on City property. We are trying to get the best deal and it was suggested at City Council last night that staff look for "professionals in the field" to help us out to get the most money for the site. I do not have a budget to hire a consultant for this ($8 million deficit and all), so am looking for some free volunteer help from an Evanston resident or Friend…
Continue Reading "Are You a Wireless Telecom Professional?" »
New Media Advisory Board
The City has a lot going on in areas of "new media." We are on Facebook, You Tube and Twitter. Our website has lots of information with a relatively good way to access it. I have been blogging here since September. But is it enough to be the most cutting edge City in America communicating with our residents? My guess is that we can do even better. I am creating a new citizen group to advise me on new media issues. …
Council Actions on 11/23/09
1. The Administration and Public Works Committee kept the issue of changes to sanitation services in committee and will continue its discussion of topic as part of the special City Council meeting scheduled for December 7. 2. With the addition of the sanitation services discussion to the December 7 meeting, the City Council moved the previously planned discussion on affordable housing to a special meeting on January 13, 2010. 3. Approved changes to registration fees on vacant buildings from $200…
Newsy Items on the 11/23/09 City Council Agenda
1. Discussion about City Council's goal regarding Northwestern University. 2. Consideration of raising registration fees on vacant buildings from $200 to $400 a year. (See staff report PDF). 3. Meatiest item of the night is on the Administration and Public Works Committee agenda to consider changes to City's refuse, recycling and green waste program. Staff is proposing the City contract out waste hauling, perform recycling services with City staff and make changes to the sanitation service rate structure beginning March…
Continue Reading "Newsy Items on the 11/23/09 City Council Agenda" »
Community Budget Workshops Update/Rebroadcasts
The Community Budget Workshops will be played on Channel 16 on the following schedule in order starting with the Saturday November 7 workshop, followed approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes later by the Thursday November12 workshop and then approximately 2 hours later by the Tuesday November 17 workshop. For further information on the workshops, go to the budget website. Sunday – 2:00pm & 6:00pm, Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2009 (Plus regular City Council meeting playback at 12pm) Monday –…
Continue Reading "Community Budget Workshops Update/Rebroadcasts" »
Walker Appointed Community Development Director
Lehman Walker has been appointed the City's new Director of Community Development. Walker currently holds same position in University City, Missouri. See press release for more information.…
Continue Reading "Walker Appointed Community Development Director" »
City to Hold Second H1N1 Vaccination Clinic
The Evanston Health and Human Services Department will be holding a second H1N1 Public Vaccination Clinic at Evanston Township High School (Bacon Cafeteria entrance, 1600 Dodge Ave. ) for only those who fit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC priority groups this Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 9 a.m. until the limited supply of vaccine runs out. The vaccination clinic will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and include the following Priority Groups: Pregnant women; People who live with…
Continue Reading "City to Hold Second H1N1 Vaccination Clinic" »
Council Actions on 11/16/09
1. Received report on Climate Action Plan and directed staff to continue implementation of the plan with particular emphasis on distributing grant funds received for residential weatherization programs and to continue close partnership with Citizens for a Greener Evanston and other community and business groups to implement the plan. 2. Directed staff to continue implementation of the City's Lakefront Plan. While there was much discussion on this, the Council ultimately agreed they were not interested in exploring uses beyond what…
Special City Council Meeting Monday Night
The City Council will have a special meeting Monday evening to talk about three of its 2010 goals: the climate action plan, lakefront development and Robert Crown Center improvements. The meeting starts at 7 PM in the City Council Chambers, will be televised live on Channel 16 and rebroadcast later. Agenda and materials for meeting (PDF).…
Continue Reading "Special City Council Meeting Monday Night" »
Budget Workshop Update
The City's series of four budget workshops continued Thursday evening. See the budget website for notes and video from the meeting. The workshop will also be replayed on Channel 16 on Saturday at approximately 2:40 PM; Sunday at approximately 4:40 PM; and Tuesday at approximately 2:40 PM. The next workshop is Tuesday at 7 PM at Fleetwood Jourdain Center.…
Evanston Families Speak
Alderman Don Wilson asked that I pass this along to the community: "What’s on your mind when it comes to juggling work and family? ParentsWork - a local nonprofit organization advocating for changes that will better enable parents to care for their children - wants to hear. The group is conducting a survey of Evanston parents (and grandparents!) to find out more about their needs and ideas for how we can create a more family-friendly community. The five-minute survey can…
Tax Levy Information
Lots of discussion at community meetings and through emails about the Evanston property tax levy. Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons did a good overview for the Council Monday night on subject. Here is a memo (PDF) from Marty to the Council with information.…
Saturday Budget Workshop Playback on Channel 16
It will be replayed on Channel 16 at 12 Noon today and 7 PM Thursday. We are working on full schedule of playbacks, including a “marathon weekend” in December.…
Continue Reading "Saturday Budget Workshop Playback on Channel 16" »
Grant Farrar Appointed City Attorney/Corporation Counsel
See release here.…
Continue Reading "Grant Farrar Appointed City Attorney/Corporation Counsel" »
Newsy Items on the November 9th City Council Agenda
Before the meeting at 8:10 PM, the City will be holding a ceremony to dedicate the Civic Center after Mayor Morton and to unveil new sign out front. 1. I am presenting a report on my first 90 days. Report can be found here (PDF). 2. Council will be discussing its goal in area of affordable housing. The Council's Planning and Development Committee will be receiving the draft report of the Affordable Task Force report (PDF Pages 243-280) earlier in…
Continue Reading "Newsy Items on the November 9th City Council Agenda" »
In the News This Week
Two interesting articles.... An article in the Bond Buyer talks about a Moody's Investors Service report on impacts of public pension fund deficits on municipal bond ratings. Evanston is a singled out as a city where the bond rating has been impacted by pension funding issues (City was downgraded over two years ago now). The Century Theaters downtown have been getting press on the theater they have installed with state of the art projection and sound.…
First Budget Workshop
This morning around 70 Evanston residents and business leaders attended the first of four community budget workshops at the Levy Center. Good crowd and good information. For more details about the workshops and the process the City is using to get community input on the proposed FY 2010/11 budget, check out the City's budget website.…
H1N1 Public Clinic Update
The Health and Human Services Department conducted a public H1N1 vacciniation clinic this morning at ETHS. Despite a long line early, by 1 PM there was no line and around 100 of the 1,250 allocated doses of vaccine were still left. Staff planned to stay until advertised closing time of 4 PM or until all doses were distributed All of the City's remaining vaccine is scheduled to be given out at school clinics over the next several days. No additional…
This Day in History
Curious item about Evanston's role in first automobile race in USA that was to take place on this date in 1895.…
Snow Plow Painting Contest
OK, maybe its just because I have worked in California the last twenty years, but I think this is really neat: The City is sponsoring a contest to judge the best painted snow plow blades. This is the fourth year of the contest, with this year's theme: "Recycle Smart: Use Your Cart." The blades are painted by children at area schools and are currently on display out front of the Civic Center. You can read more about the contest and…
Day 2 in Springfield
The Mayor and I started Thursday with a meeting with the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director of the Illinois Municipal League (IML). This organization represents the Cities, Towns and Villages of Illinois in Springfield. We spent our breakfast reviewing the history of local government advocacy in Springfield and ideas for the future. Cities play a unique role in advocacy in Springfield since we represent the same citizens that the legislators do in the General Assembly and we have no…