EVANSTON — Tuesday, Dec. 17, was Evanston City Councilmember Tim Lynch’s last night of service on the council after giving 16 years to the community. Lynch chose not to run for his spot on the city council last year and was recognized publicly and presented with an award at the beginning of the regular meeting.

Evanston Mayor Kent Williams and all the council members thanked Lynch for his years of service.

Councilmember Jen Hegeman said, “Tim will be sorely missed. Thank you, Tim, for the 862 Tuesday nights you have given to the community over the years.”

The council appointed Travis Samulski to a term ending December 2027; and Henry Schmidt, who was elected to fill Lynch’s seat, to a term ending December 2025 to the Parks and Recreation Board. They also appointed Damon Newsome to a three-year term on the Human Service Joint Powers Board.

Williams performed a swearing-in ceremony for a new police officer, Kyle Markley, who moved to Wyoming from Maryland where he served as a police officer there.

Regular business proceeded with approval of ordinance 24-09 on second reading to amend the city fire code to adopt the current international fire code.

Under new business, a motion for a zone change for the city property located at 196 Bear River Dr. (the Sunset Cabins) from public to highway business, as requested by Aspen Grove Nursery, was approved.

Evanston City Clerk Diane Harris and treasurer Trudy Lym asked the council to approve the job classification and compensation plan study prepared by Condrey and Associates for the city.

“We recommend option A of the study. … It will make it much easier to retain and recruit new employees,” Harris said. 

The council approved option A and the study.

Evanston Community Development Director Rocco O’Neill asked the council to approve change order No. 8 for the Roundhouse Section 4, the loading facilities project for Shades of Pale Brewery.

Councilmember Hegeman asked O’Neill what the cost of this change order would be and he said it would be an additional $35,000.

“The reason for the change is, originally, they had planned to do the ramp to the loading dock in asphalt, but have decided — for longevity reasons and to match the parking lot — it should be in concrete,” O’Neill said.

Hegeman then asked him what the total amount now came to for section 4 after all the change orders, O’Neill said he did not have it in front of him but would send it to her.

Other resolutions approved by the council at the meeting were: a professional services agreement with Crest LLC to provide engineering services for scheduling and ordering of work regarding replacement of the roof of the recreation center and construction of possible pool improvements;  a cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Department of Transportation for funding for a city administered planning study to develop a 2050 comprehensive master plan; and two approvals for Amendment One to the ARPA grant to do the design and construction of replacing water main lines and hydrants along Sage Street and to replace the forced main line, rehabilitate the pumps, install a back-up generator and secure a lift station with fencing for the Grass Valley sewer lifts station replacement and improvement project.

The city council then went into executive session. When the council returned to the main chambers, Mayor Williams asked for department comments. Every department head thanked the council for the Christmas bonuses they received and told all to have a Merry Christmas. The mayor then opened the meeting for public comments.

Evanston resident Marijke Rossi said, “I am curious about how much money has been spent to make the Roundhouse section ready for the brewery.”

Hegeman told her that as soon as she got the information from O’Neill, she would let her know.