Click Here to review the SEA Annual Meeting Presentation from Assistant City Engineer Chris Sous on the Chicago Avenue Multimodal Corridor Improvement Plan- October 28,2025

Annual Meeting Minutes- October 28, 2025

SEA Members in attendance –

John Kennedy, Martha Ash, Mimi Roeder, Fred Ash, Sheila Sullivan, James Kirk, Helen Hilken, Dia Walsh, John Walsh, Thomas Judge, Susan Sobczak, Debbie Mara Evans, Kelley Hughes-Liao, Shirley Dugdale, Zafiro Papastratakos, Andrea Liss, John Storey-Williamson, Josh Bowes Carlson, 3rd Ward City Of Evanston Council Member Shawn Iles, Steve Test

Guests- Chris Sous and Lara Biggs from the City of Evanston Department of Engineering 

The annual meeting of the Southeast Evanston Association was held on Tuesday, October 28th at the Firehouse Grill, second floor.

Ø  7:03 PM – Call to order

o   John Kennedy provided an overview of the organization’s activities this past year and future objectives.  John noted that Josh Bowes Carlson led the organization to inoculate trees against Dutch Elm Disease, as well has organized candidate forums during the local 2025 election.  Josh kept the SEA organization moving even through CO-VID.  John gave Josh the gift of a book about the history of Evanston. 

o   John described the mission of the organization (see below*).  We have resumed monthly board meetings.  We are looking at the infrastructure in our organization including the website and communications, membership levels and discerning issues on the horizon.  John would like to have a better understanding of member views.  Zoning codes will be at the forefront of city discussions in the future.

Questions and Comments:

o   A question was asked about stabilizing the lakefront erosion; what is the plan to keep erosion at bay?  It appears to have stalled out due to lack of funds. A lake front protection ordinance is being worked on by Council Member Clare Kelly.  Erosion plan funds were applied for during COVID through FEMA, but those funds are no longer available.  The city also applied for a grant for Sheridan Road to upgrade the area to keep erosion at bay, as well as at Greenwood Avenue at the lake.  Assistant City Engineer, Chris Sous, also applied for a state grant feasibility study at Sheridan Road near the Calvary Cemetery.  The public was involved in the lake front stabilization plan.  The city is now in the midst of implementing that plan. The city is also working to improve the native habitat plantings with the Parks and Recreation Department. 

o   Balance of programming vs. passive use of lakefront; it seems that the balance is being lost.  At what point is the lakefront too commercialized and overused for events and concerts?

o   CM Kelly was asked by Sheila Sullivan (SEA Vice President) to share the lakefront ordinance draft document and says she will make it available to the SEA; Sheila Sullivan plans to follow up with Council Member Kelly to make sure the SEA can see it before it is made fully public. 

o   Lakefront management and development is worth keeping our eyes on. 

o   The Parks and Open Space Master Plan was passed in 2024 and is available for viewing on the city website here.

o   What is SEA’s role in involving itself in areas outside of our boundaries?  We use our mission statement as our guide.   

*SEA Guiding Mission Statements

SEA and its Board aim to fulfill these essential tenets of our bylaws with the help of our members:

·         Preserve the essentially residential character of Southeast Evanston through developing citizen participation in the processes of city zoning and planning. 

·         Maintain and improve practices and regulations affecting Evanston land use. 

·         Aid in the solution of community problems and encourage informed citizen participation in community affairs. 

·         Foster research, education and study of various aspects of legislation directly affecting our community.

·         Provide a clearinghouse for information on community affairs. 

·         Actively monitoring development along the lakefront, as well as events and uses that are scheduled and requested. We believe in an active, healthy and vibrant lakefront, that allows people to freely enjoy nature without overcrowding or misuse. 

We welcome thoughts, concerns and efforts to collaborate with our organization.  Our email address is info@southeastevanston.org.

 Ø  John Kennedy - Presentation of Proposed Slate:

o   John Kennedy – Interim President since June 2025.

o   Sheila Sullivan – Vice President

o   Mimi Roeder – Secretary - 1st term ending in October 2027

o   Martha Ash – Treasurer - 1st term ending in October 2027

o   John Walsh – Board Member

o   Marcus Thimm – Board Member

o   Laurie Zoloth – Board Member

o   John Storey-Williamson – Board Member

o   Linda Damashek – Board Member

o   Steve Test – Board Member

o   Emily Williams Guthrie – Board Member (non-voting) 

Ø  Motion – Josh Bowes Carlson moved to adopt the slate as presented.  John Walsh, 2nd.

Motion passed in a unanimous voice vote  

Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM 

Presentation by City Staff

·         There was a short presentation by Chris Sous, Assistant City Engineer.   City Engineer, Lara Biggs, was also present.  The city staff person spoke to the current plans for the rebuilding of the Chicago Avenue Corridor and the addition of a protected bike lane.

·         Click here for the complete presentation. 

October 21, 2025

To:          Members of Southeast Evanston Association

Fr:           SEA Board

Re:          Annual Meeting Agenda and Request for Nominations

Our Mission

• ·         Preserve the essentially residential character of Southeast Evanston through developing citizen participation in the processes of city zoning and planning.

• ·         Maintain and improve practices and regulations affecting Evanston land use.

• ·         Aid in the solution of community problems and encourage informed citizen participation in community affairs.

• ·         Foster research, education and study of various aspects of legislation directly affecting our community.

• ·         Provide a clearinghouse for information on community affairs.

• ·         Encourage community activities in the Southeast Evanston area.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Southeast Evanston Association will be held on Tuesday October the 28th at the Firehouse Grill, second floor.

·         Note:  Nominations to the Board need to be sent in ahead of the meeting to be considered. Use this Link to nominate a resident or member.

·         Doors open at 6:30 PM. Appetizers will be served. Drinks are available. You may also purchase dinner and dine during the proceedings.

·         7:00 PM - Meeting starts

o   John Kennedy will provide an overview of the organizations activities this past year and future objectives.

·        

Presentation of Proposed Slate:

o   John Kennedy – Interim President since June 2025.

o   Sheila Sullivan – Vice President

o   Mimi Roeder – Secretary - 1st term ending in October 2027

o   Martha Ash – Treasurer - 1st term ending in October 2027

o   John Walsh – Board Member

o   Marcus Thimm – Board Member

o   Laurie Zoloth – Board Member

o   John Storey-Williamson – Board Member

o   Linda Damashek – Board Member

o   Steve Test – Board Member

o   Emily Williams Guthrie – Board Member (non-voting)

·         Election of Board Members and officers

Presentation by City Staff

·         We are expecting a short presentation by a City of Evanston staff person on the current plans for the rebuilding of the Chicago Avenue Corridor and the addition of a protected bike lane. 

Sincerely,

John Kennedy – Interim President on behalf of the SEA Board:

Mimi Roeder, Martha Ash, John Walsh, Zafiro Papastratakos, Marcus Thimm, Laurie Zoloth,

John Storey-Williamson, Emily Williams Guthrie, Linda Damashek, Steve Test

 __________________________________________________________________

Council finalizes draft Envision Evanston comprehensive plan after four-month deliberation process, sets tentative November 11, 2025 review.

https://www.envisionevanston2045.com/

We welcome thoughts, concerns and efforts to collaborate with our organization.  Our email address is info@southeastevanston.org.
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