EVANSTON — A special Evanston City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, to address two motions for approval. A work session was not held. 

Community Development Director Rocco O’Neill addressed the first motion, asking the council to accept the low bid of $283,050 from Lewis & Lewis Inc. for the site preparation and utility package for the Avalon International Aluminum facility.

There were no questions from the council, and the bid was unanimously accepted.

The second motion was also presented by O’Neill, asking the council to authorize the mayor to send a letter of support to the Wyoming Energy Authority.

“The Economic Development Administration has received billions of dollars, titled the Build Back Better Awards, to help communities impacted by energy downturns,” O’Neill said. “The letter is just a letter of support and states that the city is willing to help towards the redevelopment of the Wyoming State Hospital buildings. It doesn’t obligate us outside of the assessment we have already done. Though we don’t own the property, we view it as an asset to the community for redevelopment.”

A copy of the letter to the Wyoming Energy Authority states, “The City of Evanston is particularly capable to provide expertise and technical and/or financial/asset contributions as they relate to workforce development and training, energy transformation, and new industry clusters in the Wyoming Energy Authority Build Back Better proposal.”

O’Neill said there is no guarantee the city will be granted an award, but it is important to send a letter of support to the Wyoming Energy Authority.

O’Neill said he was also scheduled to meet with a task force at the Wyoming State Hospital this week to discuss possibilities for the buildings. He invited any of the council members to attend the meeting.

The council unanimously approved to authorize the mayor to sign the letter of support to the Wyoming Energy Authority.

At the beginning of the regular meeting on Oct.5, the city council voted to approve three permit requests as one item.

An open container and street closure permit was approved for Urban Renewal/Main Street Promotions/Kate’s for the third annual fall Main Street Bash, which was held the following Saturday, Oct. 9.

Approval was given to the Evanston Main Street Promotions for an open container permit for the annual Hunter’s Widows Night Out on Main Street from 9th Street to Harrison Drive, and 10th and 7th streets and to Main Street on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 5-8 p.m.

A street closure permit requested by Evanston Main Street Promotions for the annual downtown Trick-or-Treating on Friday, Oct. 29, on Main Street from 7th Street to 11th Street, from 3-6 p.m., was approved.

Under new business, a motion and a resolution were presented by Evanston Public Works Director Gordon Robinson. The council approved the motion to release the letter of credit posted by the subdivider for the River Birch Addition as the improvements had been completed and the warranty period expired. Council members had also approved the authorization of a street lighting agreement with Rocky Mountain Power to provide streetlights for the River Birch Addition (408 and 428 Burns Ave.).

O’Neill asked the council to approve the marketing contract and addendum with XO Xtreme Marketing Group Inc. for internet marketing and advertising services to promote economic development at an annual cost of $24,955.

“I think this is the best use of our marketing dollars,” O’Neill said. “They will target industries and specific businesses. We will receive a quarterly report so we can evaluate,” O’Neill said.

Mayor Williams asked if O’Neill could give them an idea as to how the website is working and answer questions the public might have.

“We have had less traffic on our website in the last few months, but more serious inquiries,” O’Neill said. “We have had one relocation of a company already from their inquiry after viewing the website. All together, we have three companies relocating here.”

The council approved the contract with XO Xtreme Marketing Group, Inc.

The last item on the agenda was to authorize the contract for services with the Evanston Youth Club for Boys and Girls.

Club Director Holly Slade-West addressed the council and reviewed the history of the club and how they have grown from servicing a few teens to providing services for hundreds, even thousands, of youths a year in the last eight years.

“In part because of our program, teen pregnancy has decreased, teen crimes have decreased, and graduation rates have increased. We have provided 5,003 free meals,” West said. “Without the financial support of the city, we could not function, and every bit of that support is used for youth programs. We are a true nonprofit and [we]  depend on your support as well as other donations from the community. Thank you for your commitment.”

West continued to express her thanks and to state how important the 4th Street building had been to their success. They taught cooking classes, sewing classe, and played pool with the youth there, West said. She became teary-eyed when talking about the club leaving that building, but said she is excited that they will start on the new expansion soon at the club’s 6th Street location. West ended her presentation by thanking the council again for their much needed and appreciated support.

“When I first became mayor, I have to admit I wasn’t very knowledgeable about the program,” Evanston Mayor Kent Williams said, “but I have learned a lot about your commitment and what you have achieved. I appreciate what you are doing. Originally, a portion of the budgeted amount of $75,000 for the youth club went to the maintenance of the 4th Street building and, even though you won’t be using that site any longer, the original budgeted amount will remain the same.”

An additional consideration included in the contract between the City of Evanston and the Youth Club is the transfer to the club all rights to the jukebox, ice cream machine, convection oven and freezer that the club has been using at the 4th Street location.

The contract with the youth club was unanimously approved.