EVANSTON — One employee resigned, and one person was appointed to fill an unrelated vacant position during the Evanston City Council meeting on May 15.

Evanston Parks and Recreation District Director Jay Dee Nielsen submitted his resignation at the May 15 city council meeting. Nielsen was hired in October 2014, and spent a year working with longtime Parks and Rec director Dennis Poppinga before taking the reins on Nov. 1, 2015, following Poppinga’s retirement.

Nielsen told the Herald his last day will be June 14.

“The decision was not an easy one,” he said after the meeting. “Over many months, my wife and I have discussed what we wanted to do as we prepare for retirement. We feel that now is the best time to move forward with our plans, which include moving closer to our family.”

Gordon Robinson was appointed to the Evanston Housing Authority Board. He’ll replace Chris Gerrard, who resigned and who was the board chair while three employees, including longtime director Gerry Bolger, allegedly used public money to pay for personal items. Gerrard has not been accused of wrongdoing; however, Donna Evans and Dustin Robbins, along with Bolger, have been charged with felony theft.

The City of Evanston has been looking to have a salary study performed to ensure city employees are being paid fairly. This type of study, according to many on the city council, is something that should be done on a regular basis — as often as every five years — to help the city retain quality employees and provide a fair salary and benefit packages for staff.

The last study was completed in 2004.

The city received an estimate from Condrey and Associates, Inc. to conduct the study. The cost is $34,500, but the council tabled the matter since the estimate did not include employees of the Evanston Parks and Recreation District. A new estimate was recently received, and the additional cost of including Parks and Rec is $12,500. The $12,500 will initially be paid by the district, and the city will then reimburse Parks and Rec. 

The total cost of the study will be $47,000, and council members said they consider it a very good price for the study.

“This is long overdue,” said Councilmember Wendy Schuler. “This needs to be done.”

The council unanimously approved the resolution at the May 15 council meeting, and the study should begin in June and take about four months to complete. It will include more than just salaries; it will also include developing more definitive job descriptions.

The council also agreed to close the Bear Ice Ponds from June 4 to June 8, to preserve stocked trout placed by Game and Fish for the Trout Unlimited Kid’s Fishing Day, to be held Saturday, June 8.

The Bear River Greenway’s main access road from the 9th Street underpass to the Bear Community Center, along with the parking lot, will be closed Saturday, June 9, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Trout Unlimited event to enhance safety for the approximate 500 children participating.

Hamblin Park’s main access road and parking lot will be closed on Wednesday, June 27, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Safe Kids Fair. It will close again on Wednesday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the annual Independence Day Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun Festival.