The Evanston City Council meeting on Monday Sept. 11 started with a presentation by Public Health Manager Greg Olsen on the city’s rat problem. As a result of Evanston’s proximity to Chicago, rat sightings are common. Olsen highlighted the fact that since the beginning of this year, the city has been getting more reports, and spending less time on them, meaning they have gotten more efficient at handling rat incidents. He also discussed the rat treatments Evanston is currently using and the treatments up for consideration, including SMART bait boxes that send an alert to the Health and Human Services Department of rat activity. Following the update on rat control, the council addressed the issue of installing lights at James Park. The motion was unanimously approved. Councilmembers also voted in favor of a contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a union that represents government employees. As a result, city employees will receive an 11 percent pay increase (and an additional three percent per year for the next three years), and a $1,250 bonus. The new contract also establishes Juneteenth as a paid city holiday, and upped the paid floating holidays from three days to five. Additionally the council members approved an ordinance regarding trees on private property. Before the approval, trees on private property did not require the owner to get a permit, but the new ordinance does require a permit.