EVANSTON — During council comments at the beginning of the Evanston City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 7, councilmember Tim Lynch said he had learned the Union Pacific was going to donate the Wahsatch water tower to the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission (EHPC), to be placed at the Roundhouse & Railyards Complex.

“I’m asking the mayor and the council to consider funding 100% of the cost of moving the tower and setting it in its new home,” Lynch said. “Rick Eskelsen will be giving you more information concerning it at the end of the meeting.”

Lynch also said a constituent had mentioned to him that the city needs a sign on eastbound Interstate 80 to tell semi-truck drivers not to get off on Exit 1, but go to Exit 6 to avoid traffic issues on Front Street.

Councilmember Jen Hegeman spoke about the National Veterans Awareness Ride escort to take place next Thursday, May 16, and invited all to participate by riding in the parade if they have a motorcycle or, at least, by thanking a veteran for their service. 

“I also would like to start a discussion on the need for the city to hire a city manager,” Hegeman said. “With all the business coming our way and the council members and the mayor positions rotating, we need continuous leadership and stability in management for the city and [it] will also provide a check and balance form of government.”

Three street closure permits and two limited malt beverage permits were approved by the council.

Ordinance 24-01 for the final plat for the Burnt Hill addition off Cheyenne Drive was addressed by Evanston Senior Planner DuWayne Jacobsen. He said there were a few changes to the plat concerning the current boundary of lot 2 which will be retained; the public utility easement will be shifted over slightly due to fiber optics in the area; there will be a 50-feet wide shared access to lots 1 and 2, and a 5% land dedication to the city.  The Ordinance was approved on second reading. It will come before the council for a third reading before final approval.

The request from Tony Weaver for a zone change (Ordinance 24-02) for property near Aspen Grove subdivisions from low density residential to rural residential was brought before the council by Jacobsen for the second reading.

Several council members brought up the fact that Weaver had since listed his property for sale.

Evanston City Attorney Mark Harris said that, since the last meeting when the council had approved the zone change, Jacobsen had received two more protests against the change. Harris told the council it would now require a vote of six yes votes in order to pass.

Councilmember Evan Perkes said, “I will be changing my vote to a no vote on this now. I did a lot of checking into where this is at and the facts involved, so I’ve changed my mind. I just wanted to make it clear since I voted in favor on first reading.”

Councilmember Jesse Lind said that he, too, would vote no, as he is “pro-growth” and sees the residential subdivision expanding in the future.

Hegeman said Wyoming is a state that supports people being able to do with their land what they want and has a “live and let live” attitude, and one animal per acre is not a problem. She said she does realize that, if they approve it, it will probably come up before the council again if or when the subdivision expands.

Six members of the council voted against the zone change on second reading, with Hegeman voting for approval. The ordinance failed on second reading.

Under new business, Ordinance 24-03 to approve the final plat for the Gateway addition was addressed by Jacobsen. He said there were some minor changes to the boundaries to the east and the 30-foot access easement next to the Porter Fireworks store was OK’d by John Porter. The Evanston Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the plat as a major subdivision. 

The final plat of the Gateway addition was approved on second reading. It will have a third reading at the next regular meeting of the council before final approval.

Evanston Parks and Recreation District Director Kim Larsen asked the council to approve acceptance of the low bid of $84,500 from Gregco, LLC, of Evanston for the section of the Bear River Walkway on the north side of Bear Meadows. Larsen explained that the asphalt walkway nearest the river is deteriorating, and they need to replace it with concrete. Larsen said the bid from Gregco came within the budgeted amount.

The council unanimously approved the acceptance of the bid.