EVANSTON — At the regular meeting of the Evanston City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 5, council member Mike Sellers complimented the Evanston High School swim team for four of their members qualifying for the state competition.

There were no special orders or consent agenda items, so the council quickly moved to the first item on the agenda.

Under unfinished business was the second reading of Ordinance 19-08, approving and authorizing a zone change for property in the City of Evanston from medium density residential-developing and public zone to medium density residential-developing, as requested by the City of Evanston as owner of the land.

City Planner DuWayne Jacobsen explained that the Haw Patch 3rd Addition was the area being considered for a zoning change. He said that evidence and testimony from landowners and the public had been received and that the Evanston Planning and Zoning Commission had voted to recommend that council approve the zone change. 

Council member Tib Ottley asked, “If we make this zoning change, will it prohibit Lot No. 3 from being developed as a parking lot?”

“Yes,” Jacobsen said. “However, the 15% grade in height and curvature of that lot makes it very difficult to be made into a parking lot. Changing all of the property to medium density residential offers more of a variety of land use. The commission reviewed that possibility and recommends approval of the zone change.”

The council approved the ordinance on second reading. It will be brought to the next regular council meeting for the third and final reading.

Evanston Police Lt. Ken Pearson addressed Ordinance 19-09, which had to do with amending and repealing sections of the City Code in regard to bicycles within the city limits.

“As you know, some students from a home school group came before the council several months ago and expressed their concerns with the bicycle code,” Pearson said. “They had been given an assignment by their teacher to work with local government. So, after the council meeting the students came to the police department and, all together, with the chief and me, we went through the code and made changes. We then sent it to (city attorney) Dennis Boal to look over. What you have been given is a much simpler and easier code to follow.” 

Under Section 1: 6-12, 12 unnecessary sentences were omitted, and it now reads as follows: Every bicycle, when in use at nighttime, shall be equipped with a white lamp on the front of the bicycle or operator. A red reflector shall be visible on the back of the bicycle or operator. 

In Section 1: 6-13, the Code originally read that it was unlawful to ride a bicycle on any sidewalk in the city. That was omitted and it now reads: When operating a bicycle on a sidewalk within the City, operators shall yield the right of way to all pedestrians and shall give an audible or verbal signal before overtaking or passing a pedestrian or other cyclist.

Sections 2: 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-9, 6-11, 6-14 and 6-15 were repealed. These sections had to do with licensing, registration, fees, and transfers of licenses for bicycles; number of bicycle passengers allowed and carrying of packages while on a bicycle. There were also redundant sentences omitted that had to do with what was already stated in Section 1 in regard to sidewalks and lighting equipment.

Lt. Pearson said the police department did not deem it necessary to require licenses for bicycles within the city. 

The police department, Boal and the students were all pleased with the final results to be recommended to the council, Pearson said.

Ordinance 19-09 was approved on the first reading. It will come before the council for two more readings.

Pearson also addressed Ordinance 19-10, which would enable the governing body to establish the hours in which a city park may be open for public use.

“We have had some trouble out at the Bear Ponds with people squealing their tires and leaving skid marks and painting graffiti. We would like to be able to close the park at night so it will be easier to control,” Pearson said.

Mayor Kent Williams said he agrees it would be good to have uniform hours for all the parks. Ordinance 19-10 passed on first reading and will be brought before the council two more times.

The next item was Resolution 19-64, authorizing the execution of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Grant from the Highway Safety Program of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. 

“This is our annual contract with WYDOT to improve traffic safety with high visibility increased enforcement during holidays, events and summertime when we have a lot more traffic,” Pearson said. “Last summer one of our officers gave 32 tickets for speeding in one day on Highway 89.”

Resolution 19-64 was passed, approved and adopted by the council.

Evanston Director of Engineering and Planning Dean Barker addressed Resolution 19-65, which would authorize the execution of an agreement with Uinta Engineering & Surveying to provide engineering services for the City View water main replacement project phase two.

“This is the next phase on City View, and we advertised and received five good bids from $27,000 to $51,000,” Barker said. “It is a big project with issues, and we have budgeted $500,000-plus for it. Uinta Engineering gave the best bid and they will work on design this winter and start work in the spring.”

The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Last on the agenda was a motion to authorize the final acceptance and payment of retainage to Consolidated Paving and Concrete for the 2019 Street Overlays Project.

Barker addressed concerns from the council that the project had taken so long and was difficult for the residents on the two streets. 

“We talked to the company about how long the project was taking and they did come back and finally complete the project. The project was within budget and they did do a good job,” Barker said.

The motion was approved.