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<DIV><FONT size=+0>Dear Neighbors,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>Many thanks to all of you who called, emailed and phoned in
your votes on the recent proposals for use of the Neighborhood Improvement Fund
(NIF).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0><STRONG>Here is a synopsis of the
results:</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>For those of you who have not heard, <STRONG><FONT
color=#ff0000>we pulled the rain barrel proposal off the ballot</FONT></STRONG>
as new information showed they were not a good use of NIF money. Votes were not
tallied for that proposal.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>The tot lot proposal was not ready at this time to be
presented to the Economic Development Committee. The Grandmother Park Initiative
is continuing to develop and revise that proposal. <STRONG><FONT
color=#ff0000>They are planning to present their finished proposal to the
neighbors in another neighborhood meeting in the future.</FONT></STRONG> If
approved by neighbors, it will then be presented to the EDC.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0><FONT size=+0><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>The cul-de-sac
proposal was approved by <U>neighbors</U> with a 91%
margin.</FONT></STRONG> Dickelle Fonda and I presented it to the EDC
last night. Many questions were asked by the members of the EDC (three alderman
and three Evanston residents). Because Nature's
Perspective Landscaping designed and planted the corners last year (after
bids from other companies were considered) and because they did quality work
(all corners were planted in the time specified, all plants have
flourished, all maintenance has been successful, and the work was done within
budget), we had asked them to provide a design and bid for this work as well.
Alderman Rainey, however, expected that we would bring in two other bids as
well. The total cost of the cul-de-sac proposal including one year of
maintenance is $24,549.85. Even though the NIF money has been set aside for
neighborhood use, when any given proposal is over $20,000.00 the City of
Evanston requires three bids on the project. <STRONG><FONT
color=#ff0000>Therefore, Alderman Jean-Baptiste moved to remove the 1 year of
maintenance from the proposal to bring it under $20,000.00 and it was approved
by the EDC with a vote of 5-1.</FONT> </STRONG>Dickelle and I will bring three
bids to the next EDC meeting on May 20 for 1-3 years of maintenance for the
cul-de-sacs. You will all be notified before the meeting.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0><FONT size=+0><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>Now the cul-de-sac
proposal must be approved by the City Council.</FONT></STRONG> Barb Scwartz from
Nature's Perspective and I will make the presentation to the Council this coming
<STRONG>Monday, April 27.</STRONG> <STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>If approved, work
can be started soon!</FONT></STRONG></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>Thanks again to everyone who voted! We'll let you know what
happens next week.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>Sincerely,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>Julie Westbrook</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=+0>(847) 869-9136</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><A title=mailto:juliemarkw@earthlink.net
href="mailto:juliemarkw@earthlink.net"><FONT
size=+0>juliemarkw@earthlink.net</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><A title=mailto:w@earthlink.net
href="mailto:w@earthlink.net"></A> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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