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Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. As always, my goal is to keep all neighbors in our ward informed about city news, upcoming events and opportunities they can benefit from. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at pbraithwaite@cityofevanston.org, or 847-801-9386.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the community members, staff at Dewey Elementary School and Cherry Preschool, and especially the amazing children who participated in Penny Park Design Day and provided input at the Penny Park Next Generation community meeting last week. A thank you is also due to Leathers & Associates, the firm that designed the current Penny Park playground over twenty years ago, for traveling to Evanston to gather input from our children and residents. Penny Park is a unique and special place. As plans to renovate the playground move forward, community input will continue to be gathered and utilized so that the park remains the magical place that it is now. Read more on Penny Park Next Generation below.
As a reminder, I host ward meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Ward meetings are your opportunity to share concerns and discuss issues that impact our ward and the greater community. Because of the District 65 Spring Break schedule, our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m., at the J.E.H. Education Center/School District 65, 1500 McDaniel Ave. I hope you can join us!
I ask that you please spread the word in the community about this newsletter. If you or someone you know would like to be added to this newsletter, please follow the link: cityofevanston.org/newsletter.
Thank you and I hope that you all have a wonderful and safe spring break!
Ald. Peter Braithwaite
 A community meeting was held on March 27 to view and discuss plans for the Penny Park playground.
Residents can view notes from the meeting, see the PowerPoint presentation from design firm Leathers & Associates, and view a draft schematic of the playground on the City's Penny Park webpage >>>
Next steps in the process include creating a Penny Park steering committee, developing a budget for the park based on the desired design, and creating and sharing a detailed project timeline.
As plans for the park move forward, residents can receive updates on future meetings, plans, and opportunities to get involved by signing up for the Penny Park email list >>>
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 The proposed Starbucks café on Dempster St. and Dodge Ave. passed through the City's Zoning Board of Appeals Committee this week and will be on the City Council's agenda this month.
This exciting development gives momentum to community efforts to bring new businesses to the Dempster/Dodge area.
Stay tuned for future updates!
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 On Thursday, March 20, 2nd Ward Ald. Peter Braithwaite and 6th Ward Ald. Mark Tendam, along with members of the Minority, Women and Evanston Business Enterprise Development Committee (M/W/EBE), hosted an inaugural “Meet & Greet” session for Local Employment Program candidates. The purpose of the open discussion was to partner with current LEP candidates, enlist additional potential candidates for upcoming projects, answer questions about the program, and disseminate helpful resource material.
Ald. Braithwaite mentioned the City’s commitment to enforcing the ordinance driving LEP, and he took questions from the audience. He assured participants City staff are working diligently to communicate the details of upcoming opportunities better in the future. CFO/Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons spoke regarding a few of the regulations around the ordinance, such as contractor responsibility when a bid is placed over $250,000 and potential projects for 2014.
The City’s M/W/EBE meetings are held monthly, every third Wednesday. The purpose of the committee is to identify and assess the needs of the M/W/EBE community on a regular basis, and address the established needs of the M/W/EBE community. Meetings are open to the public.
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 City crews began their street sweeping rounds on April 1 and will continue their efforts until November 28. Residents are asked to abide by the street cleaning schedule found on existing street signs. View street cleaning maps and schedules >>>
Make your life easier and stay on top of street cleaning notifications by signing up for email or text alerts >>>
Throughout the season, the City may post parking restrictions for special street cleaning in limited areas of the city. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep the city clean!
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 In the wake of more than 90 inches of snowfall this season, the largest in Evanston’s history, the City invites residents to participate in a survey to provide feedback on snow removal efforts, parking notifications, restrictions and more.
Public input will be considered as the City reviews and revises operations and regulations ahead of next season.
The survey will be open to residents now through April 30 on the City’s Engage Evanston website, EngageEvanston.org. Residents can also take the survey over the phone by calling 311, or 847-448-4311 outside of Evanston.
Your feedback is critical in the City’s continued efforts to provide the best service possible. Thank you!
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 The City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is now hiring for seasonal positions!
The application is now available online and must be submitted for job consideration. View available positions and apply online >>>
As part of the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP), students interested in certain positions with the City and other area businesses must attend the job fair on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave. In order to be eligible to attend the job fair, youth must be enrolled in school, be at least 14 years of age when the Youth Employment Program begins in mid-June, and live only in ZIP codes 60201 or 60202.
For more information, email youth@cityofevanston.org or call 3-1-1 (847-448-4311).
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 ComEd contractors will have the westbound lane of Greenwood St., between Dodge Ave. and Darrow Ave., blocked off to perform excavation and installation of underground conduit for the future install of underground electrical cable.
Work will take place Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 18, on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
No power outages will be required for this work.
For more information, see this letter from ComEd >>>
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 For the 3rd year, the YWCA Evanston/North Shore is sponsoring the Stand Against Racism as part of a national initiative that combats racism by bringing awareness to the issue.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the symbolic Stand on Friday, April 25 from 12:40 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. along Ridge Ave. and Church St., joining others from their workplace, neighborhood, or faith group to pledge that we are working to promote social justice in our community.
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