After 3-3 vote, council president left to chance

Cal Tatum, Herald Reporter
Posted 1/5/18

Evanston City Council meeting from Jan. 2, 2018

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After 3-3 vote, council president left to chance

Posted

EVANSTON — The Evanston City Council rang in the new year by making several appointments, none of which caused any changes in department heads for 2018. 

There was also a closed-ballot vote for president of the council at Tuesday’s meeting. David Welling nominated Wendy Schuler and Andy Kopp nominated Tim Lynch. After the vote ended in a 3-3 tie, the two names were written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a hat to decide a winner.

Evanston Police Chief Jon Kirby drew Schuler’s name from the hat, so she will continue to be the president of the council.

The council also approved an ordinance allowing Rocky Mountain Power the use of city easements to construct, maintain, operate, upgrade and relocate transmission lines and equipment. The previous 25-year ordinance was due to expire later this year. 

The ordinance calls for the city to receive 1 percent of the gross revenues, which have brought in more than $90,000 per year for the last few years. The city had the option to raise the percentage but chose not to raise the percentage at this time because it would likely raise power costs to the consumer.

There is an option to raise the rate any time prior to the end of the 25-year ordinance if the city provides the utility company a 60-day notice.

The ordinance requires the utility company to comply with all city codes and regulations as they apply to construction.

In unfinished business, the council passed, on second reading, ordinance 17-07, approving the final plat for the LDS church addition on Cheyenne Drive, bordering Red Devil Drive and Evanston High School.

Throughout Evanston there are “islands” that are not annexed by the city. One such location is the Adkins Subdivision, which is just one property off Wasatch Road. The city did not approach the owner about annexation but the owner, Robert Douglas, has petitioned the city to be annexed, because he would like to connect to city water and sewer.

A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, in the council chambers, to determine if the annexation complies with city code.