EVANSTON — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5, Evanston City Council members were led in the pledge to the flag by local Scouts Colton Marler and Brayden Mosier from Troop 911.   

After approval of minutes and approval of bills to be paid, Mayor Kent Williams asked for council comments. Most of those who commented thanked the city employees for doing a  great job with snow removal.   

Williams moved to a special request by Wendy Schuler to have her released from the Golf Course Advisory Board due to her service as a legislator. The request was approved.  

The one item on the consent agenda was a request by the Evanston Liquor Dealers Association for extended hours in 2019 for the following events and dates: St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 16; Cinco de Mayo Festival, Saturday, May 4; Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 26; and New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31. A motion was made and unanimously approved to grant the request.

Scouts Marler and Mosier, then came forward to ask Mayor Williams a few questions.

“Who are you and what do you do?” asked Marler.

Williams responded, “My name is Kent Williams and I am the mayor of Evanston. It is my job to oversee the different city departments and work with the city council to make sure the city is running smoothly.”

Mosier asked Williams, “What are important issues facing the city?”

“We have to make sure our city departments have the resources they need to operate efficiently,” Williams said. “We need to be frugal and aware of the economics of the community and just help the community all the way around.

“What do you do in emergencies?” Marler asked.

Williams said, “We rely on our different departments, the police, fire department, sheriff department to handle emergencies in their area. Our job is to provide them with the equipment and resources needed to be able to do their jobs.”

The boys then asked if the mayor made decisions alone or together with the council. He told them that decisions were a team effort; they would discuss situations and then vote their own conscience.

Marler and Mosier thanked the mayor and the council for allowing them to ask questions and to lead the pledge.

In closing, there were no comments from department chairs, the public, or from the majority of council members. 

Councilman Sellers expressed appreciation to the 19th Amendment committee and Sagebrush Theatre for the wonderful kick-off event on Jan. 25, at the Strand and to Arts, Inc. for a great concert on Feb. 1. Sellers also reminded the audience and council members how important it is to shop locally and to support the many events in the city.