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Greetings!

Given the important issues discussed at the April 8, 2019 City Council meeting, I wanted to communicate my views on some agenda items.

$1.25M Police Settlement
I do not support this settlement, not because the victim does not deserve to be compensated from his injuries and any lost earnings, BUT due to the lack of accountability that the officers and previous police chief received as a result. Similar to the previous settlements, the settlement passes the burden onto the citizens but bypasses the employees who caused the incident or the manager who is responsible for ensuring that such incidents do not continue.

Easement/Special Use Permit for 910-938 Custer
I support this easement and development and I am hopeful that we can encourage the developer to comply with our current IHO, even though their development was proposed prior to IHO adoption.

Bond Amendment for Crown
I support the bond amendment for Robert Crown Center. Prior to voting to approve this project, I released a statement voicing my concern for 100 percent bonding for the project and my reservation about the impact of these bonds on our residents. I ultimately voted to support this project after calculating that the tax increase (if we taxed for the entire project) would be less than $100. While I am personally aware that all of our residents cannot afford this tax (and we do not plan on adding these bonds to the property tax bills), I also feel strongly that residents of my ward (and all of south Evanston) desire to have access to a recreation center like other parts of Evanston (Crown is the ONLY center in south Evanston and is currently unusable for our youth and senior population).

To deny issuances of bonds is fiscally irresponsible and actually is likely to cost the City more than the committed $54M due to potential lawsuits filed by the contractor, not to mention the loss of the new facility.

In my role I feel strongly that my job is to not only represent the residents of the 9^th Ward, but the City as a whole, balancing the information I have and the collective opinion of the residents. I am fully aware that I represent a group of diverse thinkers who have various opinons and priorities, all of which I consider while making my decisions. That said, my votes will never fully align with everyone’s but I will always explain my views and respectfully hear yours, even when we disagree.