EVANSTON — Evanston City Council members unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Evanston Youth Club for Boys and Girls at the April 4 council meeting.

Evanston Youth Club (EYC) — formerly the Boys & Girls Club of Evanston — has served the community for four years, offering programs and services to help youth achieve academic success and live healthy lifestyles.

Club director Holly Slade said, “It takes time to reach and help these kids, even though we thought we could do it overnight. We have had great results.”

In her statement to the council, Slade reiterated the escalating need to expand the facilities for the EYC in order to reach more youth in the community.

After several months of planning and fundraising, the EYC raised the funds necessary to purchase a 140-foot by 60-foot metal building, which will house a basketball court, locker rooms, office space and classroom facilities for the growing organization.

Slade came to the city early on in the expansion process to update the council and garner advice on various possibilities as the group moved forward.

As both groups continued to communicate, the 6th Street location (old sand volleyball courts) was put on the table as a possible expansion location.

A lease agreement was drafted and approved by the EYC board and considered by the council. At last week’s meeting, Resolution 17-17 was unanimously approved by five of the seven council members.

Council members Wendy Schuler and Andy Kopp abstained from voting on the resolution because they are both on the EYC board.

During the discussion section of the resolution, Schuler addressed the council as an EYC board member.

“This is an amazing thing and they need the space,” she said.

Schuler said she wans community members to know the club is not moving out of the current space, as they still need it for various programs they offer to the youth.

Board member Kevin Kallas also addressed the council, stating the club is a great thing for the community and outside of the property lease agreement, the club will not be asking for handouts from the city.

“We are shouldering the cost,” he said. “We don’t want the community to think we are tapping into city funds, but we appreciate the city’s support and approval of the lease agreement.”

Kallas added, the utilities and day-to-day functions will be covered by the EYC and not subsidized by the city.

In Resolution 17-17, it states the EYC will construct the building and make improvements to the property at the cost of nearly $700,000.

“We have raised enough funds to construct the building,” said Slade. “We don’t have enough to completely finish the interior. We would love to build the Taj Mahal for our kids, but we don’t have the money right now.”

Slade and Kallas both said as funds become available they will complete the interior of the building first, and continue to improve the aesthetics of the exterior of the building and surrounding grounds.

They will partner with the city’s tree program and plant several trees at the location; a first start to improving the exterior.

“What will the building look like?” asked Mayor Kent Williams.

Slade said the plans didn’t accurately depict the true color, which is going to be an off white color with blue trim.

Slade wanted to thank Boheka Construction for donating architecture and construction work.

Councilman Tim Lynch thanked Slade and commended her for what she’s done for the community.

In other business, the council approved two replacement appointments Tuesday night.

Michael Day will replace Colton Ellingford on the Planning and Zoning Commission through January 2019. 

Mark Smith will replace Lynn Pahl on the Lodging Tax Board through January 2019.

“I appreciate all those willing to serve on our commissions and boards,” said Mayor Williams. “We wouldn’t get stuff done without them.”

Jonny Pentz, representing the O’Reilly Car Show and Swap Meet event on Saturday, July 22, requested an open container permit and a street closure permit.

“We want to provide a family-friendly event before the adult event,” said Pentz. “The car show is free and so is the car entry.”

The car show is in its third year, moving downtown from its previous location at Bear River Park.

Pentz said they wanted to bring it downtown to help the vendors and businesses during the events, referring to their partnership with the Brew Fest event the same weekend.

“Jane (Law) has been great in helping us,” said Pentz. “We are excited for the partnership and events.”

Council members Schuler and Sellers both said they thought moving the car show downtown was a great idea and that it would help the various vendors and businesses.

Resolution 17-13 authorizing a Spectrum Lease Agreement with Sensus USA, Inc. and Sensus, LLC, assuring continued use of radio spectrum by the city was approved.

According to Allan “Oop” Hansen of Public Works, this resolution approves the required application by the FCC for the wireless water metering system the city uses.

“There is no fee and the lease goes as long as the system is in use,” said Hansen. “The FCC requires the application so they know what radio channels are being used.”

Resolution 17-14 was also approved by the council Tuesday night. This resolution amended a budget resolution to set a fee for the City to turn on water services for inspection purposes.

Originally, the realtors paid $50 each time the city turned on water services for various inspections on properties for sale in the community. 

Tib Ottley came before the council on two separate occasions to address this issue. 

After discussion among the council and Evanston City Attorney Dennis Boal, they decided the realtors shouldn’t be required to pay the $50 penalty for delinquency.

City Treasurer Trudy Lym said the fee is now $20, instead of the $50 fee.

“This charges the correct channels for payment,” said Williams. “We get the delinquent water bill fees when properties sell.”

Two resolutions, 17-15 and 17-16, dealing with the flexible benefits plan and health reimbursement arrangement plan for city employees, were both approved. According to Lym, these agreements are done every five years.

Closing out new business, the council approved Resolution 17-18, authorizing a renewal of a planned maintenance agreement with Cummins Rocky Mountain LLC to provide maintenance for the electrical generators used by the city.

“These are annual contracts,” said Hansen. “They provide maintenance and load testing on our emergency generators.”

As the meeting wrapped up, Mayor Williams said he wanted to commend and thank the Evanston Police Department for its outstanding efforts in keeping the community safe.