Evanston council reappoints department heads and elects David Welling as council president

The Evanston City Council unanimously approved a slate of department head reappointments and elected David Welling as council president for 2022.

The chair presented the list collectively and the council agreed to consider all nominees together. The slate named Mike Vranish as chief of police, Diane Harris as city clerk, Trudy Lim as city treasurer, Rocco O'Neil as community development director, Dean Barker as director of engineering and planning, Gordon Robinson as public works director, Dennis Bole as city attorney, Mark Harris as municipal court judge, Amanda Kirby as city prosecutor and Clayton Thomas as alternate municipal court judge. The council moved, seconded and approved the appointments by voice vote.

Council members offered brief remarks of thanks for city staff and department heads. One councilor noted the public works director's long service—about 43 years—and members expressed appreciation for institutional knowledge and continuity. In the council leadership election, councilman David Welling was nominated and, after a motion and second, was elected council president for 2022 by voice vote.

Outgoing council president (recognized in the meeting) offered brief remarks of appreciation for staff and colleagues. No public comments were recorded during the public participation period and the meeting adjourned.