City of Evanston Blog
Public Works Department Reorganization
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Suzette Robinson as Director of Public Works. Suzette was selected as part of a nationwide search of public works professionals who applied for the position. Suzette has done an outstanding job as Interim Department Director while continuing her service as Superintendent of Streets and Sanitation.
Suzette has been with the City of Evanston since 2006 as Superintendent of Streets and Sanitation. Before her service in Evanston, Suzette spent seven years working as Operations Manager/Facilities Maintenance Manager for the City of Indianapolis. Prior to that, Suzette worked as a manager at the airports in Detroit and Indianapolis. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Illinois State University and a Master of Science degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Suzette has been a member of the United States Naval Reserve since 1986 and currently holds the rank of Commander.
Suzette will now lead the Public Works Department through critical changes in how we collect refuse, recycling and yard waste; in how we manage and maintain our vehicle and equipment fleet; and how we plan and improve our transportation networks. The Department will also enhance its focus on how its operations can be as sustainable and environmentally sensitive as possible. I look forward to her leadership in meeting these important challenges.
During the recruitment process for a permanent Director of Public Works, it became clear that the opportunities before the Department are many and diverse. Several of the specific services provided by the Department are facing financial obstacles and all services need to be provided in the most efficient manner possible. In order to best address these issues in the future, the City will be shifting some responsibilities from Public Works to other parts of the organization. This distribution of responsibilities will allow for more strategic attention to be paid to these important issues and provide even better support to our excellent staff members in these areas.
I have asked Superintendent of Water and Sewer Dave Stoneback to lead a new Utilities Department. As Director of Utilities, Dave will continue to oversee our existing water and sewer operation in addition to other strategic utility opportunities. Dave will give particular focus to challenges in growing our water business to other communities, addressing mid and long range financial and capital issues in both water and sewer as well as explore new opportunities to make the most of all utility operations in Evanston.
I have asked Administrative Services Director Joellen Daley to take on parking operations. Recently, the Parking Systems staff moved from the third floor to the first floor of the Civic Center to be co-located with the Revenue staff. Parking Manager Rickey Voss will also move to the first floor and work with Joellen on how best to utilize the co-located staff. Rickey and his staff will continue their excellent work from this new location.
Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons will work with Dave Stoneback and the Utilities staff on initiatives to grow our water business. Marty will work with Rickey and Joellen on an overall review of how we manage public parking in Evanston.
Dear Wally and Suzette,
I was intrigued to find out about the new Evanston sanitation and yard waste fees from the newsletter/flyer tossed mysteriously on my porch. (I can only assume that the hand delivery option must have been cheaper than postage... but perhaps it also guarantees that residents will throw away, rather than read, the newsletter along with all of the other landscaping, painting and take-out menu flyers that end up on our doorstep.)
I understand that these fees are not in themselves excessive, but on top of all other city fees AND absurd real estate taxes, it just feels like being nibbled to death by ducks. It does appear that the fee structure for sanitation and yard waste is remarkably complex, though... what with multiple sizes of containers, stickers for bags, etc. I had to laugh at the line that residents can have "unlimited amounts of yard waste" picked up using the yard waste carts. I've tried to cram unlimited amounts into those carts, and I must report that there are, in fact, limits... even when I use my children as battering rams to compress the waste.
With these new fees in place, I can foresee residents sneaking out late at night to stash their yard waste bags behind other people's houses! Maybe I can save money by burning my trash and yard waste in my Weber grill during the summer. It will lower my sanitation costs, cut the cost of charcoal briquets, and add a piquant flavor to my burgers.
Seriously, I was born and raised in Evanston, but too many of my recent experiences lead me to conclude that any remaining "livability" benefits of the community are being overwhelmed by the sacrifices my family makes to be able to afford to live here.
March 30, 2010 12:18 PM