City of Evanston 2018 Annual Report

2018 Annual Report

The City of Evanston is committed to promoting the highest quality of life for all residents by providing fiscally sound, responsive municipal services and delivering those services equitably, professionally and with the highest degree of integrity.

2018 Awards and Recognitions Top 100 Best Places to Live Livability listed Evanston as the top city in Illinois and #20 on its list of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the Nation.”

First Illinois City to Target 100% Renewable Electricity The Evanston City Council unanimously approved the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), making Evanston the first Illinois city to set a goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity for all properties and the first to target zero net emissions.

America’s 10 Best New Bikeways of 2018 People for Bikes recognized the Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road protected bike lane as one of “America’s 10 Best New Bikeways of 2018.” The project was also the American Public Works Association’s “Project of the Year” in the Transportation category ($5 million to $25 million).

Complete and Green Streets

Top 50 Friendliest Cities to Start a Small Business Verizon ranked Evanston as the 14th best city in the country to start a small business based on financial climate, education, travel time to work, broadband access, and other factors.

Best Farmers Market The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market was voted 2018 Best Farmers Market by Make It Better readers.

Class 1 Fire Protection Rating The Evanston Fire Department was awarded a Class 1 designation by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO).

The Class 1 rating is the highest possible and places the Department in the top 1 percent of all fire departments in the country.

Excellence in Financial Reporting

Smart Growth America ranked Evanston’s Complete and Green Streets policy second in Illinois and among the best in the nation.

The Government Finance Officers Association recognized Evanston’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report with its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

100 Best Fleets

Certified Lifeguard Agency

The City’s Fleet Operations unit was one of only six Illinois fleets to be recognized by the annual “The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas” program. The program noted Evanston’s advanced fleet management information system; responsible waste stream; and its use of the newest technology and alternative fuels.

The City’s Lifeguard Service was designated as a Certified Lifeguard Agency by the US Lifesaving Association (USLA), becoming the only current USLA-certified agency on the Great Lakes.

Community Development Planning and Zoning

Economic Development

17-story Multi-family Residential Building

Entrepreneurship Support Program Grants

A planned development was approved for a 17-story, agerestricted, multi-family residential building with 169 dwelling units at 1727 Oak Ave. Seventeen units will be affordable to those earning between 50%-80% of Area Median Income.

assisted 12 new food businesses and salons.

Five-story Mixed-use Building A planned development was approved for a five-story mixed-use building with 26 dwelling units and approximately 5,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space at 128-132 Chicago Ave. Five units will be affordable to those earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income.

Code Amendment The definition of “Coach House” was expanded to include non-family members.

Housing and Grants Inclusionary Housing Ordinance The City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance was amended to more effectively incentivize on-site units in market rate developments, particularly near transit.

Centralized Wait List Working with Community Partners for Affordable Housing, a centralized wait list was developed for income-restricted housing. Seven new affordable units were rented to tenants on the list.

New Partnerships

Workforce Development Equity in the Arts Grant facilitated the hiring of management staff at Mudlark Theater.

Small Business Workforce Development Grant allowed the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse to provide training to five low-income individuals.

Great Merchant Grant Program assisted seven business districts with banners, flower planters, district advertising, and events.

Transportation and Mobility Evanston Divvy Bike Share

14____________Divvy Bike stations 140___________Divvy Bikes citywide 22,742_________Divvy Rides starting in Evanston 39,360_________Pounds of CO2 offset 2,470,878______Calories burned The Divvy for Everyone program was launched, providing $5 annual memberships to income-qualified residents.

Building Permits and Inspections

The City partnered with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization and Lawyers Committee for Better Housing to provide advice and legal services to renters and landlords.

Affordable Housing Preservation Activities • Completed rehabs of 16 units of rental housing and six owneroccupied homes for income-eligible residents • Provided rent and utility assistance to 20 families with children in Evanston schools who were homeless or unstably housed

$374,489,566

6,773

Construction Valuation

Inspections

3,600

$6,136,233

Permits Issued

Permit Fees Collected

Evanston Fire Department 3,595

6,419

10,014

Fire Service calls

EMS calls

Total calls

Evanston Police Department

3 min. and 12 sec. response time

2018 average emergency response time for fire and EMS calls well below 4-min. standard of National Fire Protection Association

Community members worked up a sweat with Evanston Police officers at the first-ever Five-0 Fitness event in October.

Recruitment Worked with Human Resources to complete a six-month comprehensive and communitybased recruitment and candidate support process and posted a two-year eligibility list for firefighters/paramedics.

Emergency Operations Executed an agreement with Northwestern University for the shared use of its Emergency Operations Center, and led a regional effort to secure $1.4 million in FEMA grant funding to upgrade radio equipment used by first responders in Evanston and 15 nearby communities.

Training Provided emergency preparedness training to the community in partnership with Red Cross and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Reporting Implemented an upgraded EMS Emergency Patient Care Reporting (ePCR) system in cooperation with Information Technology and the Emergency Telecommunications Center.

Community Engagement Offered Fire Explorer, ETHS Public Safety, CPR and Citizen Fire Academy programs to community members.

Police Dashboard Police Data

Initiated an update to allow community members to easily view 12 datasets, increase transparency, and enhance the community’s understanding of police operations.

Traffic Unit Partnered with the Problem Solving Team (PST) and NU Police to focus on traffic violations, including biking on sidewalks.

Police Explorers Program Relaunched the program with 15 youth participating.

STAR Academy Initiated a new mentorship program for middle school girls.

Other Community-based Programs Continued the Officer and Gentlemen Academy mentorship program, Citizen Police Academy, and Youth Citizen Police Academy. Partnered with the Moran Center on Project Bridge, fostering communication and building positive relationships between teens and police.

Office of Professional Standards Conducted Town Hall Meetings to facilitate improved police-community relations.

Body Cameras Implemented body cameras by Patrol and Street units.

Evanston Public Library Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives Underwent an EDI assessment conducted

by DeEtta Jones and Associates to enhance understanding of community members’ unmet needs and expectations 700 hours of EDI training taken by Library staff

57% reduction in fines achieved through new, patron-friendly circulation policies

1 new digital literacy center piloted in the 5th Ward

110 at-risk children prepared for Kindergarten through expanded ABC Boosters program

12,000+ free books distributed to 25+ locations throughout Evanston

101 Great Books for Kids list released, including authors and illustrators from traditionally marginalized communities

Innovative Programs Launched Mental Health and Wellness Fair 10 discussion groups read Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

2 “Human Library” programs promoted respectful conversations among people of various backgrounds and identities

By the Numbers 1,206,557__________items circulated 5,743________________new library cards issued 20% ________________increase in digital checkouts 214 __________________one-on-one technology

training sessions

343 _________________volunteers 10,777 ______________volunteer hours 653 __________________interactions with EPL social worker

6,000 sq. ft. library at new Robert Crown Community Center and Library planned, offering improved access to Evanston’s west side

Cultural Arts

Sculptures Sculptures were installed at Quinlan Park, Harbert Park and Eiden Park, as well as at Chute Middle School and at Emerson/Ridge/Green Bay.

Murals Murals were installed on Lake Street, Church Street, Emerson/Ridge/ Green Bay, South Boulevard, and at the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center.

Evanston Made More than 100 artists participated in a community arts initiative facilitating engagement between the public and Evanston creatives.

Funding Local artists and arts organizations were supported by $30,000 in grants and $9,000 of Evanston Arts Council funding.

“Stitch,” by Warren Langley, at Emerson/Ridge/Green Bay.

Public Works Water Sales 50,000 new customers

in Niles and Morton Grove began purchasing Evanston water

15 billion gallons of clean, safe drinking water was provided to Evanston residents and wholesale water customers without interruption

Facility Improvements Repairs and upgrades were completed at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Chandler-Newberger Community Center, Mason Park Fieldhouse, Fire Station #2, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, and the Service Center Parking Deck.

A new Howard Street Theatre was constructed in partnership with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre.

Photo credit: Christopher B.Burke Engineering

Capital Improvements The Chicago/Sheridan Corridor Improvement Project was completed, connecting Wilmette and Northwestern University to downtown Evanston with a new protected bike lane.

The Fountain Square renovation project was substantially completed, creating a brand new community gathering space.

Health and Human Services Department Health Equity Partnered with hospitals and organizations across Cook County to advance health equity.

2

5

Public health emergency tabletop exercises completed

Mental Health First Aid Trainings offered to City staff

Trauma Worked with Evanston Cradle to Career to establish a Trauma Informed Response Team to respond to trauma in the community.

Clean Eating

60

3

Patrons provided with mental health services at EPL

RENT trainings provided to landlords

Educated the community on sugar consumption through partnerships with YMCA, Erie Family Health Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Evanston/Skokie School District 65.

Housing Obtained an Illinois Housing Development Authority Abandoned Property Grant to demolish a long-neglected property, which will become the site of an ETHS “Geometry in Construction” house.

105 People screened for HIV and STIs at no cost

436 People participated in We’re Out Walking

General Assistance Partnered with Total Airport Services to provide recruitment and employment opportunities for qualified General Assistance participants.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Finalist The Department was honored to be one of only four agencies nationwide named as a National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Finalist. This was the second consecutive year the Department received the recognition.

“Let’s Play” Mobile Recreation Trailer

Robert Crown Community Center and Library Groundbreaking in July.

The “Let’s Play” trailer traveled to 41 park locations, 51 block parties and seven special events during the summer, offering exciting, organized, free activities to the public.

Robert Crown Community Center and Library In August, the City broke ground at the corner of Main Street and Dodge Avenue on the Robert Crown Community Center and Library. The project will include a new 130,000 sq. ft. building with two NHL-sized ice rinks, a 6,000 sq. ft. library branch, gymnasium, preschool, multipurpose rooms, and three artificial turf athletic fields.

Excellence On Stage Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre was nominated for nine Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards, winning “Best Actor in an Ensemble” for its production of “Top Dog/Underdog.”

Youth and Young Adult Mayor Hagerty’s Summer Youth Employment Program • 600 students • 45 employers • 1,000 jobs available • 47.6% of attendees qualified for Free/Reduced Lunch Program

Community Maintenance Team • 300 street lights and poles painted • 60 bags of trash collected • 40 alley segments cleaned and trimmed • 25 traffic signal intersections refurbished • 10 Evanston playgrounds mulched

The “Let’s Play” Mobile Recreation Trailer visited 41 Evanston parks.

Law Department Affordable Housing Assisted with updating City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to align with 2018 City Council goals.

Economic Development Assisted with sale of City-owned building at 623 Howard St. to Peckish Pig. Prepared all legal documents related to developments at 601 Davis St., 128-130 Chicago Ave. and 1727 Oak Ave.

Litigation Closed eight cases and continued to support the maintenance of a high quality and sustainable water and sewer system by litigating water rates in State and Federal Court.

Kingian Summer Institute

Police Initiatives

20 Evanston youth were trained on the principles of nonviolent conflict resolution at the first annual Addie Wyatt Center for Nonviolence Training Kingian Summer Institute.

Staffed the Citizens’ Police Advisory Committee and the Alternatives to Arrest Committee. Assisted the Evanston Police Department (EPD) in prosecuting traffic and ordinance court citations.

2019 & Beyond “Creating the most livable city” Community Development

Economic Development

Police

Staff will develop a comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan and implement amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to expand affordable housing options. The City will partner with transit providers to invest in a strong public transit core, including the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization Study.

Two new merchant districts will be created, including branding and streetscape improvements. The City will continue to work towards selecting a suitable site for Northlight Theatre.

Cultural Arts

The Department will collaborate with the Cook County Department of Public Health to offer STI Screenings for ETHS District 202.

Educational workshops will be offered to General Assistance participants on topics including healthcare, self-care, and money management.

Health and Human Services

A maintenance plan will be implemented for public art. Support will continue for artists and arts organizations through the Cultural Fund Grant Program and Neighborhood Art Program.

Fire

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

The Department will partner with AMITA Health EMS System and the Health and Human Services Department to implement a Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedic Program to extend primary care and integrated social service delivery.

Upgraded Pre-Incident Planning software will help support critical decisions on emergency scenes.

Law Department Staff will audit the City Code and update it to reflect current best practices, including the Liquor Code and Code of Ethics.

Alongside Friends of Robert Crown, the Department will support construction of the new Robert Crown Community Center and Library, which will be operational in late 2019, with site improvements completed in 2020.

Youth & Young Adult Division staff will develop an MOU with Oakton Community College to create in-demand workforce training and development opportunities for local residents, and will seek to expand Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program job opportunities for 14 and 15 year olds.

EPD will continue efforts to increase transparency and enhance community understanding. Extensive updates will be completed to the Police Dashboard.

Public Works Staff will support replacement of a 5-million-gallon treated water storage facility. Evanston will initiate water supply to the Village of Lincolnwood, which will become the 10th community to purchase Evanston water.

Evanston Public Library The Library will continue to explore the most effective ways to meet the diverse needs of its patrons by providing inclusive programs and services, deepening engagement with the community, and through continued staff education in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion best practices.

Thank You! The City of Evanston would like to acknowledge the financial and programmatic contributions from both public and private institutions and organizations in 2018. Their support made possible many of the accomplishments listed in this report. The City also appreciates the selfless support offered by Evanston’s volunteers.

Values

2019 City Council Goals

• Excellent Customer Service

• Invest in City Infrastructure and Facilities

• Continuous Improvement

• Enhance Community Development and Job Creation Citywide

• Integrity

• Expand Affordable Housing Options

• Accountability

• Stabilize Long-term City Finances

Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty

1st Ward Judy Fiske

2nd Ward Peter Braithwaite

3rd Ward Melissa A. Wynne

4th Ward Donald N. Wilson

5th Ward Robin Rue Simmons

6th Ward Thomas M. Suffredin

7th Ward Eleanor Revelle

8th Ward Ann Rainey

9th Ward Cicely L. Fleming

City Clerk Devon Reid

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz