EVANSTON — A fifth street closure permit was added to the agenda at the start of the city council meeting on Tuesday, June 20.  All council members were present and thanked Treasurer Trudy Lym for the hard work she had done on the new budget.

Council member Jen Hegeman also thanked the VFW for the dedication ceremony on Saturday, June 17, at the Evanston cemetery.  The VFW had purchased headstones for the graves of four veterans buried in the Wyoming State Hospital section at the cemetery.  A fifth veteran already had a headstone and all five were honored with a military ceremony.

“The VFW proved if you serve, you will never be forgotten,” Hegeman said.

Attorney Amanda Kirby opened a public hearing on the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. 

Treasurer Lym read aloud to the public and the council the introduction to the budget which covered the mission and purpose of the budget, the sources of revenue and the proposed capital projects for the next year.

Lym said, “Overall, our total budget is estimated at $39,157,586. This includes all funds, personnel, and capital projects we feel are necessary. Of this amount, $6,570,506 is contingent on the receipt of grant funding. Additionally, projects and spending are carefully evaluated throughout the year as revenues are received.”

Kirby asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. There were no comments, so Kirby closed the public hearing.

The council moved to the five consent items and approved them all as one body. 

Approved for a street closure permit were the following parties and locations: Eli & Brandy Robinson at Sage Street between 4th Street and 5th Street from 3:30 p.m. until midnight; for Travis and Jennifer Wilson on Summit Street between 6th Street and 7th Street from 3:00 p.m. to midnight; for Dale Gardner on Main Street between 4th Street and 5th Street from 10:00 a.m. to midnight; and for Shawn Saban on Center Street between 2nd Street and 3rd Street from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. 

An open container and street closure permit was approved for Rachel Reifon for an After Brewfest Party on Saturday, July 15 on Main Street from 9th Street to Harrison Drive from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.

The ordinance naming an unnamed roadway which was approved on first reading at the June 6 council meeting was approved on second reading and will go through one more reading at the next regular council meeting in July.

A second ordinance approved on first reading at the June 6 meeting was also approved on second reading. This was the ordinance amending Section 12-2, certain provisions of Uniform Act regulating traffic on Highways, to the city code to amend the included statutory provisions for clarification and to avoid duplication. This ordinance will also be heard for a third reading at the regular council meeting in July.

Three motions brought before the council were all unanimously approved. The first motion approved was to move the Tuesday, July 4th meeting of the council to Wednesday, July 5th. 

Director of Engineering and Planning Dean Barker presented the next two motions which were for the city to accept the low bid from Consolidated Paving and Concrete for the construction of the summer 2023 chip seal project and to accept the low bid from Kilgore Companies, LLC dba Lewis and Lewis, for the Summer 2023 overlay project. Both approved.

The council approved a request from EPD Chief Mike Vranish to execute a contract for services with Upstate Wholesale Supply, Inc. dba Briteprotect, Britestar to provide software and hosting services for the Evanston Police Department’s in-car dash camera systems.

Director of Public Works Gordon Robinson addressed the next resolution to update the sidewalk replacement and reimbursement program in order to encourage and assist citizens to replace unsafe sidewalks.

“In order to be eligible for the reimbursement the sidewalk must be inspected by public works to verify the need,” Robinson said. “The sidewalk must lie within the public right of way and serve the public. After inspection and if the sidewalk meets the criteria, the owner is responsible for the work, then we inspect it again and if the sidewalk meets the requirements the city will reimburse the owner the amount listed in the city fee schedule in the budget.”

The council unanimously approved the resolution concerning the sidewalk replacement and reimbursement program.

Robinson said the next resolution was the submission of an application for an ARPA grant for $443,161.00 from the State Loan and Investment Board for the purpose of replacing the forced main line, rehabilitate the pumps, install a back-up generator and secure the lift station with fencing. (North Grass Valley lift station replacement & improvement project)

“We already were awarded the grant, we just need to submit this application in order to accept it,” Robinson said.

The council unanimously approved the resolution to submit the application.

The council then approved a rental agreement with Insane Impact for a LED screen for a downtown community and economic development event as presented by Rocco O’Neill, community development director.

“This is the same company we used last year for the UW Cowboy football game and it was such a success we want to offer it again. This year the Cowboys play Texas,” O’Neill said. “The company brings the screen in and sets it up and takes it down.”

The council approved a conditional sale agreement with Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA to lease golf carts for use at the Purple Sage Municipal Golf Course as presented by Director of Parks & Recreation Scott Ehlers.

“This will be the last time I address the council as director of Parks and Rec., Ehlers said. “I am retiring at the end of June. Kim Larson will be taking over the position.”

Mayor Williams thanked Ehlers for his willingness to interact with him personally and with the council during his time as director.

Hegeman said to Ehlers, “You have brought big changes to Parks & Recreation. I know how business works and you have shown your expertise in the graphs and the report you present. The work you have done is huge. Thank you.”

Voting to approve the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget took place at the end of the meeting as it was last on the agenda.  There were no final questions or concerns and the council unanimously approved the budget.

Mayor Williams said, “We are the beneficiaries of decisions made by councils twenty and fifty years ago. I want to mention their contribution to us. I personally appreciate the planning and work that goes into this budget.”

Council member Jesse Lind said, “Our current budget shows 102% in revenues and the expenses are at 66.1% which means our department heads are doing a great job of managing budgets. That gives us confidence when passing such a large budget knowing the department heads are keeping a close eye on our expenditures.”