Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1110ccCITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESIDING: Alderman Wynne Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Rainey November 10, 2003 Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman Aldermen Jean -Baptiste, Bernstein, Kent, Moran None Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, November 10, 2003, at 8:20 p.m. in the Aldermanic Library. Alderman Feldman moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to litigation and closed session minutes pursuant to 5ILCS Section 120/2 (c) (11) and (21). Seconded by Alderman Rainey. (11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. (21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). At 8:29 p.m. Alderman Feldman moved to reconvene into Open Session and recess. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Motion carried. No nays. Mayor Morton reconvened the City Council at 8:44 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor announced that the Veterans' Day observance would be Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. in Fountain Square. Mr. Gaynor invited all to the City's annual Tree Lighting ceremony Thursday, November 20, at 5:00 p.m. in Fountain Square. The Music Institute's Children's Chorus will perform. Mayor Morton and Santa will arrived on a fire truck. Mayor Morton thanked the citizen who donated the 42-foot spruce tree. Mayor Morton proclaimed November 12-18, Evanston Community Foundation Week November 16-22, National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week COMMUNICATIONS: None CITIZEN COMMENT: November 10, 2003 Jim MCAulev. 1333 Church St., spoke about his appeal for placement of a garage on his property; reiterated that his proposal allows the garage to be viewed from Church but not Wesley and, thus, has less impact on the property than the proposal from the Preservation Commission. The garage is detached and could easily be removed in the future; has no impact on the house and compliments it in design and materials. His location allows his family to have a small area that is visually secluded from both Church and Wesley that preserves views from their breakfast area and the neighbors' dining room; blocks fewer windows than the Preservation Commission's location, requires less land to be paved over; and is cheaper than the Preservation Commission's (150 less square feet of paver stones). The Preservation Commission's decision is based upon a view that it will change the mass/space of the front of the property, which he did not argue. He argued that it did not change it appreciably. He took photos of the fagade of his home showing an eight -foot pole at 92 feet back and at 107 feet back; has four or five reasons for his proposed location while the Preservation Commission has one reason. Marion Viner. 522 Church St., 13-year resident, attended the October 17 Rules Committee meeting on redistricting, where she learned about changes to ward boundaries, competing interests and thought that aldermen tried to be fair and do the right thing. She saw that the students were sincere and wanted to make a difference. She asked Council to support Map 15 because it maintains diversity and allows long-term homeowners and permanent residents to be heard when their interests and investments are affected. Her neighbors are aware of the role local government plays in their lives, and want to continue to participate in the process with their concerns understood and addressed. Mary Brueliera, 1304 Wesley Ave., 38-year resident, Preservation Commission member, noted that in 1994, through City Council, citizens, voted in a complex and binding Preservation Ordinance. By doing so, homeowners said they would accept limits on what they wanted to do to their property for a greater public good, preserving the tangible history of this community's buildings. Anyone who lives in a historic district or a landmark home gives a gift to the City everyday they live here by protecting the City's heritage with each careful repair and thoughtful restoration. They share decisions about major changes to their homes with the Preservation Commission, composed of fellow citizens who do their best to ensure the continued integrity of Evanston's historic buildings. Mr. McAuley has four good reasons for putting the garage to the front on his property and the Preservation Commission only has one. When there is a conflict of opinion, he stated at the last meeting that a tie should be judged in his favor. The decision of the Preservation Commission was not based on feelings, likes or opinions, but on standards in the Preservation Ordinance concerning the relationship of buildings to their surrounding open space and the need to retain views of significant features of landmark buildings. The east bay windows are a lovely and important aspect of this house. The commission decided if the garage were moved back a few feet behind the bay windows, the integrity of 1333 Church would be preserved. She urged Council to uphold the Preservation Ordinance and the application of its standards by the commission. Peeev Tarr. 907 Sherman Ave., reported a Laundromat at 805 Main Street has no attendant and no posted telephone number to call in an emergency. Recently, a patron had a malfunctioning machine that she could not open to remove her laundry. The Police Department was called, an officer dispatched to the Laundromat and, eventually, the owner was contacted. She commented that this was a waste of taxpayer money to have a police officer coming for this. It also inconvenienced the patron who was there for four hours. She hoped that there was some way at self-service businesses, if there is no attendant, a telephone number is posted so the owner could be contacted. Recently, she learned that a police report was filed during 2002 about Public Storage on Green Bay Road alleging that contents of a locker were confiscated by Public Storage without due process. The locker contained a new refrigerator, washer and dryer. The Attorney General's office was contacted. She asked what City department monitors this. She told students that the meetings on redistricting should be a lesson on how citizens are treated when they are considered second-class citizens whether their second-class status is based upon color, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, race or age. She praised Alderman Tisdahl for reading a letter from District 202 school board member Martha Burns about the existence of racism in Evanston. She recalled that Alderman Newman has said several times that Evanston is not Georgia and asked if they should consider Mississippi? Allan Drebin, 2018 Orrington Ave., spoke as an individual; was amazed at the lack of legal advice regarding redistricting. He recalled citizens were first told of the Barnett case, which mandates that redistricting is to be based on population 18 years of age and over. He read the case and it says nothing of the kind; says that citizens 18 years old and November 10, 2003 over should be considered in enforcing the Voters Rights Act, which is different from size of wards. Map 15, which they are about to consider because the Rules Committee proposes it, he believed, violates certain rules of equal distribution and equal representation. The advice citizens had from the Corporation Counsel's office was that as long as the range was within 10% from the lowest to highest, that a map is in compliance. He said that is not the law. The law is if the range is more than 10% that is a prima fascie case of violation of law. If less than 10% that does not mean one is in conformity with the law. He called attention to a 1983 Supreme Court case, Karcher v. Daggett. The Supreme Court said the equal representation standard requires the districts to be reapportioned to achieve population equality as nearly as practicable. Parties challenging reapportionment legislation bear the burden of proving the population differences among districts could have been reduced or eliminated by a good faith effort to draw districts of equal population. If the plaintiffs carry the burden, the state must bear the burden of proving that each variance between districts is necessary to achieve some legitimate goal. By moving a few census blocks on Map 15, he was able to reduce the variance substantially. The current Map 15 has a variance between the highest and lowest range of 677 persons. By changing a few blocks he got it down to 414 — a reduction of 260. He did not make any changes in wards two or five because he felt it possible that complying with the Voter's Rights Act is a legitimate purpose. He urged that Map 15 not be introduced that evening and to go back and make a map in conformance with the law. Bruce Baumbereer. 3513 Central St., recalled the last Rules Committee meeting on redistricting, noting it was a magical event they experienced because Map 15 was not posted on the City's website until Halloween, and it was adopted on November 2 without any discussion of boundaries. It was remarkable that this was done without any dialogue among the committee. In spite of the fact that there have been a variety of maps proposed over the past few months, there was no discussion of any other maps. He quoted from a recent Roundtable article. Jeff Smith, Evanston attorney put together a comprehensive analysis of Map 15 suggesting that Evanston deserves a better map. Mr. Smith suggested rejecting Map 15 and go back to the drawing board. Council needs to start from scratch and work with a map based upon existing wards; include constituencies of neighborhoods that include more than homeowners and take into account the realities of population shifts, development and voter turnout. The thoughts behind the maps of NAACP, ASG and the Citizens Committee 13B map, even the fresh thinking of the Drebin map and the League of Women Voters map should be discussed. Council can craft a map that passes 9-0, which puts principle ahead of politics. He urged them to take a fresh look and come up with a map that will be better for Evanston going forward. Jane Lee, 711 University Pl., expressed anger at the manner in which students have been treated throughout the redistricting process. Although students are not a protected class, she argued that the Northwestern student body is a community of interest. Unlike any other group in the City, students have similar income, educational background, occupation, and social concerns. They are united behind their own student government, print and broadcast media and infrastructure. They are active civically as evidenced by significant presence at meetings and interest in the matter and active in community groups as evidenced by the large number of students working and volunteering for community organizations. They have expressed common municipal concerns for street lighting, patrolling, landlord/tenant and parking issues. Students are mobilizing politically. Early in the quarter the Associated Student Government had more than 80 students deputized to register voters. Nationwide voting patterns indicate that the 18-25 year old population is the least politically active. Students deserve the same consideration and representation as other groups. Their right to vote should not be questioned. She is confronted with the question, "are students trying to elect a student alderman?" For clarification, students desire to elect a representative who will represent their interests. Throughout this process, students have been targets of discrimination. The City should not equate individuals on how they vote or the number of months per year a resident spends in Evanston. If Council adopted this mentality members will note the alarming disparity of voting practices among different socio-economic and community of interest groups. Individuals living in 47% of Evanston's rental occupied housing or individuals residing at the 1,200 plus seasonal, recreational or occasional housing units would be deemed as non-residents undeserving of representation. This should not be the case. Northwestern students constitute a community of interest, therefore, they ask to be treated equal to other community members. Targeting students, denouncing their participation in community and civic affairs, denying their community of interest, and the ability to elect an individual to represent their needs is a reprehensible act. Matt Hall, 1905-A Sherman Ave., expressed disgust with some of the comments made about students during the redistricting process. He listened to aldermen say they did not want a student alderman. Students do not want a student alderman and that is not a goal of students. No student is prepared to tackle the time and effort needed. He was disgusted that someone would say publicly that they don't want a member of this student group to win a public office and don't November 10, 2003 want them on this Council. That was reprehensible and wrong. He believes there are members of the Northwestern community who represent a community of interest that should be respected by this Council. He expressed deep thanks to Alderman Moran for his passionate support of their cause. His district has no students, yet he has the courage and fair mindedness to simply say what is right and fair about representing people equally and not judge them based upon their age. He thanked Alderman Tisdahl for her thoughtful consideration and work with students in the past weeks. He asked Council to reconsider the motives behind some of the decision -making. David Kim. 1835 Hinman Ave., stated that 50 students attended the last Rules Committee when they considered maps and left with the feeling that their voices were silenced. For two hours they sat while the committee debated fallacies about what students feel. He wanted to address some of those. One was the idea of electing a student alderman. Aldermen Wynne, Bernstein and Tisdahl all mentioned this possibility. He asked that Council give the students more credit. Students have mid-term exams, jobs and other considerations. They are only interested in having their voices heard and their issues represented. If fear of electing a student alderman is part of their decision making, he asked that they reconsider. He recalled that Alderman Wynne said that students already have the vote. They recognize that and that is why they are deputy registrars. At the same time that argument could be used against the African -American populations. Courts have rejected that argument. Courts have said they are a protected class and need to be represented. While students are not a protected class, he thought it in the best interest of the City that Council recognize the students as a community of interest just as they have recognized single-family homeowners. Students have unique issues that they need to present before this Council. He referred to recent events. If they appeal to Council, they do it as a group and Map 15 dilutes that voice. He addressed the idea that Map 15 preserves natural boundaries. He thought Alderman Tisdahl raised it best when she asked how this applies to her ward? The answer is that it does not. He asked aldermen if they had seen Map 15 and the lines they have redrawn. It has been a learning experience and he was told that a district map should preserve natural boundaries and current wards as much as possible and the two African -American wards. He thought they had to make this in order to keep them and at the same time dilute the student vote. If they had followed the principles they set out, they have to keep a student voice and Northwestern. Because anything that cuts the student voice from downtown Evanston is not feasible. Due to recent events, there has been a lot of media coverage on campus. If called by the media, could they justify Map 15? John Chapman. 215 Lake St., came to support the remap and commend City Council for what they are doing. As a 30- year resident, his community of interest is Evanston. Somebody talked about diversity in Evanston; diversity is why they are here and he sees Council balancing all interests and that has been achieved in Map 15. Everybody has their own interest; as a single-family homeowner, he appreciates that they will have a voice. He thought all would have a voice and he hoped the map was passed. David Revnolds. 204 Davis St., 30-year resident, supported Map 15 and thanked them for keeping together the two single-family neighborhoods in the lst Ward. He said they have many common issues and appreciated the opportunity to face them together. Nicole Schwaeer. 2315 Sheridan Rd., said the redistricting choice was between fairly drawn lines or a political gerrymander that purposely denies the most compact, contiguous and identifiable community the effective right to vote. She noted that Map 15 has a hook, not like any of the other maps. She clarified that students never talked about electing an alderman. They talked about their community under fairly drawn lines to have a proportional say in choosing a representative who cares about their issues and chooses to communicate with them. The University is not going anywhere. Although she may not live here in four years, somebody else, exactly like her, will. Students at Northwestern represent a huge part of Evanston and are here to stay. She acknowledged that redistricting is a political process but if the motivation of the redistricting effort leans toward selfish political gain and, perhaps, fear of not being re-elected, in her view that was bad politics. Making deals and working the system to favor one's political gain is politics. But doing it at the expense of one's electorate by effectively disenfranchising 20% of the population is "bad" politics. She stated that students were simply trying to retain their rights --whether Northwestern students are a protected class or not, they are citizens. They may be young, but are citizens and don't blame them for not living in single-family homes. She asked to be given the rights she deserves as a citizen of this City, state and country. In her opinion, the U.S. Constitution grants her those rights. In ten years if the sitting aldermen are still around and holding office, they need to think about that because it is reprehensible. It is their responsibility to grant students the rights that have been taken from her. November 10, 2003 CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Acceptance of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (Audit), Ordinance 92-0-03 — Equalization of Gas Use Tax to Gas Utility Tax, Consideration of Appeal of Preservation Commission Approval, Proposed Planned Development — 801 Chicago Ave., and Ordinance 103-0-03 — Amending Title One, Chapter 13 (Wards/Precincts) of City Code. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 27, 2003. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending November 6, 2003 and the City of Evanston bills for the period ending November 11, 2003 that those be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston payroll (through 11/06/03) $1,995,116.52 City of Evanston bills (through 11/11/03) $2,667,159.18 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #3 for Fleetwood-Jourdain Locker Room & Lift Construction Project, increasing the contract with Belmontee Kaplan Development Corp. by $189.75, from$289,935.58 to $290,125.33. (Funded through CDBG.) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 102-0-03 — Declarine Citv Property as Surnlus — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 102-0-03, which declares street paving bricks as surplus property so they may be sold. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Ordinance 101-0-03 — Special Use and Variance for 2115 Ashland Ave. (Religious Institution Parkina Lot) — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 101-0-03, introduced October 27, 2003, which grants a Special Use for a religious institution parking lot to the Evanston Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc., at 2115 Ashland Ave. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 100-0-03 — Special Use for 1549 Sherman Ave. (Tvae 2 Restaurant) — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 100-0-03, introduced October 27, 2003, which approves a recommendation of the ZBA to grant a Special Use for a Type 2 Restaurant, the Italian Coffee Bar, at 1549 Sherman Ave. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (9-0) HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: * ADDroval of Township Bills — Consideration of a recommendation to approve the Township bills, November 10, 2003 payroll and medical payments for the month of October 2003 in the amount of $108,769.55. APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * FY 03 Annual Audit of Evanston Township — Consideration of approval of the FY 03 Annual Audit of Evanston Township. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 69-R-03 — Intergovernmental Agreement for Provision of Emergencv Assistance Services — Consideration of proposed Resolution 69-R-03, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement with Evanston Township for the provision of Emergency Assistance Services. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) OTHER COMMITTEES: * ADDroval of Proposed 2004 Citv Council and Budget Meeting Schedule — Consideration of a request to approve the proposed 2004 City Council and Budget Meeting dates. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked that the following appointments be confirmed: Julie Collins Arts Council 909 Washington St. For term ending November 15, 2006 Maria Elisa Laracuente-Ast Arts Council 2320 Bryant Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 Kurt Schauer Arts Council 933 Asbury Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 Susan E. Black Commission on Aging 1523 Greenleaf St. For term ending November 15, 2006 Andre Carvalho Housing Commission 2009 Harrison St. For term ending November 15, 2006 Thomas O. Marxsen Housing Commission 535 Hinman Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 Susan Munro Housing Commission 1316 Maple Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 Lawrence M. Ruffolo Human Relations Commission 1213 Ashland Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 November 10, 2003 Mark Metz Playground & Recreation Board 2125 Sherman Ave. For term ending November 15, 2008 Mayor Morton asked that the following re -appointments be confirmed: Sandra Smith Commission on Aging 1740 Hinman Ave. For term ending November 15, 2006 Jane W. Grover Mental Health Board 2703 Prairie Ave. For term ending November 15, 2007 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Acceptance of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (Audit) — Consideration of a recommendation to approve the FY 2003 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the City of Evanston. Alderman Newman moved the report be accepted. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Alderman Newman asked that staff go through pages 97, 98, 99 and 100 of the CAFR and give a brief explanation of any variance where the City did not collect fees, taxes or revenues of $25,000 or more. He also asked for an explanation of expenditures that were off from what was budgeted in anticipation of the budget meetings. Alderman Rainey stated that the committee had discussed the usefulness of this document in preparing the coming year's budget and perhaps the whole Council should have a discussion about the financial statement. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). Ordinance 92-0-03 — Eaualization of Gas Use Tax to Gas Utilitv Tax — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 92-0-03, introduced October 13, 2003, which approves an equalization of the Gas Use Tax to the Gas Utility Tax, creating equity in taxation among residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Alderman Rainey reported that this item was held in committee. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Consideration of Appeal of Preservation Commission Approval — Consideration of an application for appeal by the property owner of 1333 Church St. of the Preservation Commission approval of a Certification of Appropriateness requiring additional front -yard setback for construction of a new garage. Alderman Newman reported the committee voted 4-1 to deny the appeal. He moved to deny the appeal by the property November 10, 2003 owner of 1333 Church St and affirm the recommendation of the Preservation Commission. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey. Motion carried (6-3). Pronosed Planned Development — 801 Chicago Ave. — Consideration of a recommendation from the Plan Commission to deny a proposed planned development at 801 Chicago Ave. Alderman Newman reported that this item was held in committee. Alderman Newman reported the committee asked staff to begin drafting an apartment licensing ordinance. They also had a brief discussion on zoning of the Kendall College property with the new owners present. They were invited to return on December 15 with ideas for the redevelopment and future zoning of the property. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: Alderman Feldman reported the committee met November 3 and had a meaningful discussion with Northwestern University representatives and the community regarding solving issues about inappropriate student behavior, unlawful acts and other considerations. The meeting was productive. Northwestern has changed its policies regarding its code of conduct off campus and has agreed to meet with a subcommittee of three Human Services Committee members and community representatives to flesh out issues that were not spoken about at the meeting and to see what other progress could be made toward a solution. The subcommittee will report back to the Human Services Committee soon. He reported a good discussion about a proposed camera for Main/Dodge, which was held over to the next meeting. OTHER COMMITTEES: Ordinance 103-0-03 — Amendine Title One. Chanter 13 (Wards and Precincts) of the Citv Code — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 103-0-03, which amends Title One, Chapter 13 of the City Code (Wards and Precincts) establishing ward and precinct boundaries. Alderman Jean -Baptiste moved that Ordinance 103-0-03 be "marked introduced." Seconded by Alderman Bernstein. Alderman Moran voiced his objection. He stated several speakers raised the question about either entertaining changes to Map 15 or scrapping it and starting over again. Recognizing that when a matter is up for introduction is not the time when they debate an issue (they normally debate when the matter is up for action) he thought they needed to consider alternatives to what the Rules Committee recommended. The two criteria that were most objectionable about Map 15 were topics of significant commentary. The argument was made that a significant criterion for establishing Map 15 was to honor previous ward boundaries. Many pointed out that the boundary not honored is between wards 7 and 1. Although Ward 7 was strangely shaped in the past, it has become even more strangely shaped and, in his view, is a gerrymandered shape that does not honor the proffered reason for proposing this map. A second issue was raised by the City's corporation counsel, whose memorandum for the last meeting set forth the criteria for a community of interest, then proceeded to opine that the community of interest that Northwestern students represents is not a community of interest, when several speakers that evening have emphasized it is the most homogenized community of interest that exists in the City. He thought they would have a difficult time defining a community of interest that is as unified as the student community. He found something particularly troubling about this map. He believed that any community of interest or individual who was going to get short shrift through this process, that he would stand and object for, because this is the most basic right in a representative democracy --the right to be heard and to be accorded the same weight for one's vote as anyone else. It was clear to him that the community of interest of students was being accorded a lesser stature and, in fact, numerous people who engaged in debate last week said as much. That was a particularly low point in terms of the democratic process as is manifested by the Evanston City government. He would argue the same for any other community of interest. This should not be done. He urged all to give further consideration to this issue and to think about adopting another map than Map 15, or to modify it so the two impacts he described are not as weighty as they are in the November 10, 2003 proposed map. CALL OF THE WARDS: 2°d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste spoke about the achievement gap in Evanston. During his campaign he said this community tolerates the achievement gap, which is why it continues. He attended a workshop on the history of desegregation of publicly funded education in Evanston sponsored by the National Organization of Educators with a distinguished panel of Evanston residents and scholars; commented on why this gap continues to exist year after year suggesting they have to look at the history of inequality in this nation. To some extent there is a material inequality that forms the basis of one group constantly being able to achieve a higher level than another group that achieves less and is accepted as normal. Society has not really raised this to a level of priority that it needs to be raised. He made a statement about the Eurocentric inequality, acceptance of the status quo and therefore the failing of certain groups as being seen crucial enough to enact a major overhaul of the system. A constituent wrote to him about coming here as an immigrant with no education and becoming very successful. He wrote him back saying he could have been writing about him, because he came here as an immigrant, has been able to overcome some obstacles and one of his children was judged the number one high school student in the state, so his family had gained some level of success educationally. On the issue of personal responsibility, he reiterated that there is no excuse for not achieving on a one-to-one basis. He believes that every child who is physically healthy is gifted thus has the ability to achieve. It raises the issue of why that is not happening consistently. Why do they pass on the underachievement of African Americans and Hispanics and why do they choose to tolerate that. He thought it has to do with expectations. District 65 Superintendent Hardy Murphy was criticized by some because he pointed out that some teachers don't have high expectations for every student. Some teachers have countered that he was passing the blame onto them. He was saying that the entire community has to demand excellent education and an individual who has passed through the educational system for 12 years should be able to read, write and function in society. If somebody cannot, an analysis should be made of that and the necessary policies enacted to achieve parity. He believes this society offers opportunity to achieve. There are some structural problems they need to work on. If they don't, year after year they will continue to pass on underachievement and not make an effort to rectify it. Can Council address this issue? He suggested Council has to politicize this issue. The notion that failure is acceptable in a society that offers so much — they should demand rectification. Whether it is with the parents, students or school system they need to find the basis of it. Council has to make a statement, because ultimately if they do nothing, this will come back to haunt them and youth will be liabilities to the community. They need to step up and raise their voices. 3'd Ward. No report. 41h Ward. Alderman Bernstein asked the City Manager to look into regulations or licensing of the Laundromat at 805 Main St. He reported the Evanston Express is out of business and asked that their kiosks be removed. He read in the Sunday Chicago Tribune that the ETHS pompom squad needs funds ($4,000) to participate in a national competition. He encouraged people to send donations to ETHS Porn Kits, c/o ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston, IL 60204. Alderman Bernstein wished happy birthday to Reverend Hardis Lane, who has done a great deal for this community. He sent condolences to Reverend Philip Guistolise, on the passing of his daughter Ann Guistolise, whose stepmother Kate Guistolise, is a chaplain at the Police Department. 5th Ward. No report. 61h Ward. Alderman Moran announced Wednesday, November 12, the Plan Commission would meet at 7:00 p.m. to take up the issue of monster houses or tear downs, which the Zoning Committee has been working on. Various proposals have been formulated by the committee and will be discussed by the Plan Commission. 71h Ward. No report. 8th Ward. Alderman Rainey congratulated neighbors in the Dobson, Barton, Brummel, and Asbury area. Several months ago, a liquor store reared its ugly head on the 2300 block of Howard Street on the Chicago side, immediately east of 10 November 10, 2003 Western Avenue. Neighbors went to the Liquor Commission meeting along with Rogers Park neighbors and succeeded in convincing the Liquor Commission to deny the license. The applicant appealed the denial of license to the state liquor commission. Last week about 30 people went to the Daley Center to the State Liquor Commission and argued against another liquor store. They received word that the state commission had upheld the request of Winston Mardis to reject the liquor license. Bad news in the ward is that a boarded up building was broken into on Sunday on the 700 block of Brummel in the midst of wonderful neighbors who have to put up with this place. The door was knocked down. Police were called. The neighbors were riled up and concerned that there will be another fire there. Any expediency this brings to the board up issue at the P&D Committee would be greatly appreciated. She raised the problem of unattended Laundromats well over a year ago because of a Laundromat in the 800 block of Howard Street that is open 24/7 and is unattended 90% of the time and a hangout location. She raised the issue of licensing and made inquiries about how they could require any business that is open for customers should have to have an employee there. She did not understand how they could have businesses operating where there is no supervision. Alderman Rainev made a reference to the A&PW Committee reeardine licensing. 9th Ward. No report. V Ward. Alderman Newman reported a good debate on security cameras at the Human Services Committee and that Alderman Jean -Baptiste was correct that there was not a consensus for a camera at Main/Dodge. He pointed out that not all students feel the same way about remapping. The Daily Northwestern had an editorial endorsing Map 15, suggesting that map be adopted. He thought the students were sincere even though he does not agree with them. He has been there about 13 years with many opportunities to work with students and found it ironic that Council members who have been here for that length of time, when there were opportunities to work with students, have not been there. He remembered when students came about street lighting and the City committed to put multi -million dollars in lighting, which they have not gotten done as quickly as they would like. That is the one time students have come here on an issue. He thought the City was responding to students concerns. Alderman Newman said many people (not students) were expressing themselves in a high and mighty way. There is a group of people here who come up with "high and mighty" motives when they really have their own political agenda. When he looked at the citizens group, he saw it as an all-star team that opposed his recent re-election. Most don't live in his ward and have political motives. He was told he was disparaged repeatedly during their meetings on remapping. He discounted the idea that others don't have political agendas and that only Council members have them. One speaker called his map a gerrymander. He suggested the map put forward by that person was the biggest gerrymander he ever saw. When somebody likes a map, they are respecting traditional boundaries and taking into consideration community interests. When somebody does not like a map, it is a gerrymander; suggested people making speeches about the students are more concerned about who is elected ls` Ward alderman. He talked about party problems and code violations in the ward just west of the ls` Ward, which had been discussed at the Human Services Committee. It was brought up that Northwestern University does not put in enough resources for their police force. The Northwestern University/Evanston police force has 31 employees for 12,000 students; the University of Chicago police force has 163 employees and 12,000 students. The vice president of NU responded that University of Chicago has a hospital on their main campus. Combining the Evanston campus with their Chicago campus, their police force totals 51 employees. He brought this up because Chief Kaminski has done excellent work on student, City and the University's concerns about recent robberies in downtown Evanston. The Evanston Police Department put together a decoy team downtown and caught one of the robbers. He brought this up because the City spends over $16 million from its General Fund and over $3 million for police pensions, on the Police Department and equipment. He has not seen any community to the north or northwest make as much of a commitment as Evanston does for police resources. What is needed, which would benefit everybody, is that the University employ the requisite number of police that can help police downtown on Clark Street. The City asked them for a foot patrol in the downtown. They agreed to 20 minutes every four hours. He suggested there be a foot patrol until 2:00 a.m. every day of the year. If the University took its top 11 November 10, 2003 two employees, paid well over $500,000 annually, and simply paid them $400,000 annually, they could hire five to eight new police officers. He suggested they can disagree about the University and what contribution that they make to the community, but all should agree that NU needs to put more of its resources into its police force. So that the Evanston police force, which spends a disproportionate amount of time in downtown where there is a lot of commerce, can spend more time throughout the community. NU has an opportunity to help the community. When students contacted him about security, the City stepped up to the plate. It is time for the student body to talk to the administration and persuade them that their commitment to resources has not been enough. That is how they can work together and improve security for students and residents. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 10:07 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recording of this meetine has been made Dart of the permanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office.