Announcements and Staff Reports:

Reggie Napier, PST Officer 2nd Ward Crime Report

Crime is trending down in the ward with only three burglaries (all garages) since last month’s meeting. Officer Napier pointed out that with summer comes new crime patterns. Be mindful of locking windows, doors, garages, bikes, cars, etc. 

A new online database is now available that maps crime incidents – CrimeReports.com. This not only allows residents to see what is happening in their neighborhood, but allows anyone to leave an anonymous tip in connection with any of the incidents shown.   

Information and Community Discussion        

Block Parties

Alderman Braithwaite shared that he is looking forward to attending scheduled block parties. Please send him information. A permit from the city is needed in order to have a block party. Go to the city’s website for the free application.  

Public Works Presentation: Homayoon Pirooz  & Rajeev Dahal

Note: As the last meeting until after summer, this Public Works presentation provided some good discussion points for local neighborhood groups to consider in the coming months. For more information, call the city’s 3-1-1 call center or contact Alderman Braithwaite.

2013 Street Resurfacing Project

Between June and September, parts of McDaniel Avenue and Lake Street are scheduled to be resurfaced. Learn more here and here. 

Residents can report potholes to the cty by calling 3-1-1 or online at www.cityofevanston.org/pothole.  

50/50 Alley Paving Program

A flier was distributed and discussion took place about the process neighborhoods can go through to get an alley paved. The total cost is shared 50/50 with the city and the homeowners abutting the alley. Residents have ten years to pay off the assessment. Some financial assistance is available. The details are all online here. 

Street Lights

Lighting is being added at several locations: Church St. by the high school and near the viaduct; Dempster St. (Darrow Ave. to McDaniel Ave.); Greenleaf St. (Dodge Ave. to Pitner Ave.); Hartrey Ave. (Greenwood St. to Greenleaf St.); and Greenwood St. (Dodge Ave. to Hartrey Ave.). Bulbs are also being replaced with brighter ones in many locations. If you feel your street is too dark and needs attention from the city, report it by calling 3-1-1.

Alley Lighting Program

Neighborhoods can add alley lights through a city program. ComEd will install the fixture(s) and residents are responsible for the bill. Some areas (most of the 2nd ward) qualify for a 50% reimbursement on the electric bill for five years.  Info on the process is online here.

Traffic Signals

Two areas are currently being assessed for traffic flow. There is a plan before IDOT to help increase the flow on Dempster St. by regulating traffic signals. The area by Hecky’s (Emerson/Greenbay/Ridge) is also being studied.

50/50 Sidewalk Program

Homeowners can split the cost with the city to repair or replace broken sidewalks. This year’s projects have been determined, but interested residents can get on the list for 2014.  Go to the city’s website here for all the details.

Bike Plan 

The city’s entire bike plan is being updated. Best practices for safe lanes are being reviewed and the city is looking at how best to connect the west side/downtown/lakefront/students/major employers/transit. In some cases (possibly on Dodge Avenue), federal money may assist with the project. The public will be invited later this year to share their input. Stay tuned.

Announcements

Neighborhood Improvement Funds: Alderman Braithwaite will soon meet with residents along Main St. between the Commons and Walgreens to discuss how to use these funds.

Food for Less gas station construction has begun.

Grandmother Park: Construction of this new fenced-in toddler park at 1125 Dewey Ave. will begin in July. Fundraising continues, however.  For more info, click here.

Penny Park will undergo an update. Meetings have begun. Stay tuned for more info.

The Township of Evanston offices will relocate from their space at Main St./Dodge Ave. to the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center by September, leaving available retail space at that mall.

Next 2nd Ward Meeting: September 8, 2013.

Meals at Home is a “meals on wheels” program that has brought food to Evanston residents for 45 years. They serve adults of all ages and all income levels who have health problems that make it difficult for them to shop and/or cook for themselves.  We have a sliding fee scale.  Their volunteers deliver food Monday through Saturday, including holidays, 52 weeks a year. Clients choose their delivery days. Each delivery includes two complete and ready to eat meals, one meal is hot and one is cold. They offer food for the following diets: general, diabetic, cardiac, gluten-free, salt free, pureed, mechanical chopped and renal. They also offer a Friendly Visit Program and a Grocery Shopping Service for clients.  All it takes to set up delivery is a ten minute phone call. Please call 847/251-6827 if you want more information or visit www.mealsathome.org. Phone hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays.