Steve Goranson introduced Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, president of the Rotary Noon Club. He explained that Wally was originally from the Chicago area and had much leadership experience in school leading up to his presidency of the noon club. After being a city manager in Santa Paula, California, Wally moved to Evanston to be city manager here.
Wally presented a list of the Top Ten Issues in Evanston today. The first is the fact that Evanston is very interested in sustainability. Mayor Tisdahl is currently in Beijing at the request of the White House with a group of 30 American mayors at the Chinese-American Climate summit. He remarked that the city has met its second set of greenhouse gas goals.
The second important issue for Evanston is our capital improvements. One big project is the reconfiguration of the Green Bay, Ridge, and Emerson intersection, the most dangerous intersection in the city. This project will take two years, and Wally recommends avoiding the area when driving, if possible. Evanston received lots of federal and state money for this project. He also noted that Evanston was working for a second summer on Sheridan Road, a project that they are undertaking only when NU students are not on campus.
Wally’s third important issue was water sales to neighboring communities. Five suburbs now buy water from Evanston, with contracts with two other communities in the works. This is a good source of revenue for the city.
The fourth top issue is that Divvy bikes are coming to Evanston! Ten stations will be placed near transit and NU, among other locations, with 100 bicycles available. There will be a Divvy bike day in Evanston on Friday, June 10.
The next top issue is that there are new signs for street sweeping that accurately reflect when you need to move your cars. For the seven years Wally has been City Manager, the signs have not been accurate, he said.
The sixth top issue is that Evanston continues to prepare a pocket calendar of summer activities in the City. Wally used to complain about the need for the calendar until a new President of RI pulled his out when he was in a meeting with Wally.
Wally’s seventh top issue is economic redevelopment in the City. Unemployment is low, and the hotel scene is growing. There is a new extended stay Hyatt Place on Chicago Avenue, which houses some “transient academics” among others, and the Best Western is being remodeled and will reopen as a Holiday Inn in time for football season. Z.S. Associates is moving to the RI building, as is Beacon Academy, and there are several new restaurants opening up.
Wally says there may be another Target in the works for Evanston, and a Chicago fish restaurant is thinking of opening in the recently vacated Davis Street Fishmarket spot.
Wally also mentioned that crime is down due to the efforts of the Evanston Police Department and the efforts of his staff.
The ninth top issue is Evanston’s filing of a lawsuit against Nicor and ComEd over coal tar on some of our water pipes. He explained that Evanston’s water has not been impacted by it, but that the coal tar should not be present. He later explained that no City water mains were made of lead, although individual pipes to residences and businesses off of the City water mains may be. Steve Goranson explained that the water is treated so lead will not leach from any of the pipes.
The tenth top issue for Evanston is that the State of Illinois does not have a budget for the second year. The budget impasse in Springfield presents serious funding issues for the City.
Guests and Milestones
