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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0127ccCITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESIDING: Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Bernstein Aldermen Wynne, Kent, Moran Alderman Engelman Mayor Morton January 27, 2003 Alderman Rainey Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, January 27, 2003, at 5:43 p.m. in the Aldermanic Library. Alderman Feldman moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to collective negotiating and closed session minutes pursuant to 51LCS Section 120/2 (c) (2) and (21). Seconded by Alderman Rainey. (2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. (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 Section2.06. Roll call. Voting aye —Jean-Baptiste, Bernstein, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (5-0). At 6:50 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 9:12 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Announcements: Police Chief Frank Kaminski reported a telemarketing firm is soliciting on behalf of some local fraternal police organizations. These solicitations are not condoned by or are part of the Evanston Police Department. He asked residents who receive calls to notify the Police Department at 847-866-5005 and appropriate action will be taken. City Manager Roger Crum stated the Evanston Police Department does not call anybody on the telephone asking for money. Finance Director Bill Stafford reported that the City has retained its Aaa bond rating from Moody's in connection with a recent bond sale. Moody's stated "in the area of financial management the City's demonstrated willingness to both cut expenditures and raise revenues further bolsters Moody's belief that the financial operations will remain satisfactory despite the current economic climate." He credited that to City Council's willingness to balance budgets. $15.8 million of 1993 General Obligation bonds were refunded last week and the percentage savings of the par amount of the bonds was 6.74%. The benchmark is 3%. The net present value for the refunding is $1,065,000. On Saturday they will discuss a policy on how this present value savings can be leveraged. Communications: None CITIZEN COMMENT: Bettv Sue Ester, 1806 Grey Ave., asked why lighting is being put along the pathway in the Rose Garden, which is not heavily used? She could understand having lights from dusk to closing at 11:00 p.m. in the summer but putting lighting along walkways for aesthetic beauty was asking a lot of taxpayers. She said the garden is beautiful; lights are not needed 2 January 27, 2003 when the sun shines and there are security lights from above; urged Council to vote against the contract. Trov Thiel. 928 Asbury Ave., president of Evanston Small Business Association (ESBA) spoke at the last meeting about a marketing kiosk in Church Street Plaza, which is about to happen. ESBA hopes to work with Districts 65 and 202 on the Shop Evanston First campaign to see if the school districts can adopt in -sourcing goals similar to the City. They are working with Dick Peach and the Chamber of Commerce. He spoke of plans to improve other business districts including Chicago Avenue. He noted viaducts need repair in several districts, which affects quality, and hoped to see improvement soon. ESBA wants to convene a business conference sometime in late 2003 with staff, aldermen, consultants and business organizations to devise strategies to help Evanston be successful in the future. Alderman Newman thought the City got funds from the state to repair viaducts but nothing has happened. He asked for a schedule of when particular viaducts will be improved. Mr. Crum said an update would be provided soon. Public Works Director David Jennings met with the CTA recently and the City is trying to pin them down. Mayor Morton had received correspondence from the CTA about the Davis Street viaduct. Jean Kroll, 1727 Harrison St., ESBA board member, reported that ESBA has focused on furthering the relationship between Northwestern University and Evanston businesses. To create a more positive relationship they are working closely with the Associated Student Government. They have two key goals. One is the NU Wild Card Program, a program in which local businesses offer discounts to NU students, faculty and staff as an incentive to keep purchases in Evanston and help businesses increase revenues. They hope to roll out a new and improved program this spring to keep NU's purchasing power in Evanston. The Welcome Back Party held in the fall was a cooperative effort involving Alderman Bernstein, city staff, Evmark, Chamber of Commerce, NU administration, Evanston businesses, ESBA and students to have a great event. They will further develop that party and include more than Sherman Avenue businesses. They want to incorporate Central, Main and Dempster street districts to make it a better event. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exceptions: Approval of contact with Smith Group JJR for Chicago Avenue Streetscape Project; Change Order #13 for Levy Center Courtyard project; Ordinance 1-0-03 — Decrease in Class B Liquor Licenses; Ordinance 2-0-03 — Increase in Class B Liquor Licenses; Ordinance 10-0-03 — Special Use for 1029 Davis St. and Ordinance 114-0-02 — Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Convenience Stores & Open Sales Lots. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (8-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 13, 2003. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (8-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payrolls for the period ending January 16, 2003 and the City of Evanston bills for the period ending January 28, 2003 and that they be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston payroll (through 0l/16/03) $1,889,820.39 City of Evanston bills (through 01/28/03) $1,792,204.38 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (8-0) * Approval of the revision to the Professional Services Contract with Wolff Clements & Associates for the Merrick Rose Garden Renovation Project, for an additional cost of $3,450, to repackage and re -bid the project, incorporating additional January 27, 2003 funding being recommended from the 03-04 CIP. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL 8-0 ■■■■■ * Traffic Calmine Plan: Sneed Bumps — Consideration of a petition to place speed bumps in the west alley of 1400 Fowler Ave. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (8-0) * Ordinance 11-0-03 — Easement Agreement with CTA — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 11-0- 03, which authorizes the City Manager to execute an easement agreement with the CTA for a relief sewer under the Skokie Swift at Callan Ave. in conjunction with Phase VIII, Contract B, Relief Sewer Project. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 12-0-03 — Vacation of Portion of Allev — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 12-0-03, which vacates a portion of the alley behind 1327 and 1403 South Blvd. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 103-0-02 — Fiber Optic Cable Aerial Easement — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 103-0-02, introduced December 16, 2002, which authorizes the City Manager to execute a Fiber Optics Cable Easement Agreement with COS III Limited Partnership for installation of aerial easement on the public right-of-way. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (8-0) * Ordinance 3-0-03 — Decrease in Class J Liauor Licenses — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 3-0-03, introduced January 13, 2003, which decreases the Class J Liquor Licenses from 1 to 0 with the sale of Malone Jaicomo Caterers, Inc., 1611 Chicago Ave. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (8-0) * Ordinance 4-0-03 — Increase in Class J Liauor Licenses — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 4- 0-03, introduced January 13, 2003, which increases the Class J Liquor Licenses from 0 to 1 with the purchase of Malone Jaicomo Caterers, Inc., 1611 Chicago Ave., by Samlow Enterprises Inc. ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (8-0) APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked for introduction of the following appointments: Lawrence B. Raffel Plan Commission 2719 Reese Ave. David A. deVries Property Services Board 2715 Harrison St. Mayor Morton asked for confirmation of the following reappointment: Michael R. Cervantes Human Relations Commission 2106 Ewing Ave. For term ending February 15, 2006 *APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: 4 January 27, 2003 Alderman Feldman moved approval of the contract with Smith Group JJR for Stage One of the First Phase Engineering of the Chicago Avenue Streetscape Project, at a cost of $97,015. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Alderman Moran explained this was debated in December and Council decided to go forward. In committee he reiterated his concerns about this project. He thought it a matter of community value that conditions in and around Chicago Avenue are improved and considers the overall thrust of the project worthwhile. He still has serious concerns about funding this project with long-term implications and sees significant potential financial drag of it on other capital projects. He hoped a financing plan will be forthcoming so they can look at it and understand they can do this project and address other capital improvement needs, which are significant. He was also concerned that the construction of the prototypical block will be finished by June. By early April there will have to be commencement of other major expenditures of other engineering costs for the rest of the project. He thought in a few months the City would be in a position where one block will be finished and there will be a compulsion to spend significant amounts of money on design and construction. This will come quickly and the dollars will be big. He said Council needs an answer as to how this will be handled before going forward in a coordinated approach. That was the basis of his objection at that time. Alderman Feldman thought many Council members were concerned with financing the full project. He does not feel completion of this project obligates any Council member to go a step further until they have a solid plan agreed to by all. As a result, he can support the plan with close to one third of the cost coming from the developer. He said this will be a sample to show remaining interested parties on Chicago Avenue what can be accomplished in terms of requesting assistance to finance. He urged support. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — Moran. Motion carried (7-1). Alderman Feldman moved approval of Change Order #13 for the Meyne Company for the new Levy Center Courtyard project, increasing the contract by $5,569 (funding is CIP and private donations). Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Alderman Rainey said this was not a cost increase. They are within budget and have a fund balance. Roll call. Voting aye — Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Rainey, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — Moran. Motion carried (7-1). Ordinance 1-0-03 — Decrease in Class B Liquor Licenses — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 1-0- 03, introduced January 13, 2003, which decreases the Class B Liquor Licenses from 9 to 8 with the sale of the Omni-Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Ave. Ordinance 2-0-03 — Increase in Class B Liquor Licenses — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 2-0- 03, introduced January 13, 2003, which increases the Class B Liquor Licenses from 8 to 9 with the sale of the Omni-Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Ave. Alderman Feldman reported that these two ordinances were held over at the request of staff. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance 10-0-03 — Special Use for 1029 Davis St. — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 10-0-03, which approves a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a special use permit for a performance entertainment venue to Westwind Unlimited, Inc. subject to conditions. Alderman Wynne reported the committee asked that page two of the ordinance, under Section 2, subsections (c) and (d) be eliminated and asked that the ordinance be marked introduced as amended. A clean copy will be prepared for action at the next meeting. Ordinance 114-0-02 — Zonine Ordinance Text Amendment: Convenience Stores & Open Sales Lots — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 114-0-02, which approves the recommendation of the Plan January 27, 2003 Commission concerning convenience stores and open sales lots. Alderman Rainey asked that this ordinance be held. New information has come to her attention. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. This item was held at the reauest of two aldermen. Alderman Wynne announced a special Planning & Development Committee meeting March 31, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. solely on binding appearance review. They have asked members of the Plan Commission to come and Mr. Siegel to research Schaumburg's ordinance where projects above a certain threshold use binding appearance review. All Council members are invited. Alderman Wynne asked that all materials be sent out one week before this meeting. CALL OF THE WARDS: 2°d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste made a reference to the P&D Committee to place the development of a policv to address affordable housine on its aeenda. He knew there was a Task Force on Affordable Housing; recalled the developer at 1930 Ridge agreed to set aside a number of units for affordable housing and Tom Roszak has agreed to set aside some units at the proposed project at Clark/Oak. He was not talking about federally subsidized housing but affordable housing for people with low or moderate incomes. He was not sure whether other developers have addressed this or if requests have been made of them; did not know whether the developer on Elgin Rd. had been approached to include affordable housing units. He suggested they have to do something to achieve more affordable housing for people who work and live in Evanston. Mayor Morton asked if the stipulation was that the developer could not place somebody on Section 8 in an apartment? Alderman Jean -Baptiste said some developers have agreed to lower the price on particular units to make housing possible for people of low/moderate income. Mr. Roszak had suggested pricing a unit at three times the salary level and buyers would purchase the unit with their own resources. He said people cannot purchase property with a Section 8 subsidy, which is for renters. He wants a policy to interact with developers so they know what the City expects up front. 3'd Ward. Alderman Wynne reported that Alice Muslin, an Evanstonian and activist, had passed away suddenly at age 60. She was Alderman Wynne's last campaign chairman; served on the Evanston Historical Society board of trustees, a member of the Mother's Day Housewalk Committee and wrote brochures for the tours. She was president of the Southeast Evanston Association and involved in the community team that studied the Chicago Avenue Streetscape plan. She was belonged to Coterie, a 100-year-old organization on Michigan Avenue. She said that Alice Muslin lived life with passion, drive and energy, was an example to many and was willing to throw her considerable talents into a project. She cared deeply about the community. Alderman Wynne was sorry she was gone but was happy to have known her. 41h Ward. Alderman Bernstein echoed Alderman Wynne's sentiments and sent condolences to her family. Regarding Alderman Jean-Baptiste's reference to the P&D Committee, he stated representatives of the Housing Commission came to the committee to discuss affordable housing and a task force was formed of which he is a member. He invited Alderman Jean -Baptiste to attend the task force meeting on Tuesday, February 4. 5th Ward. Alderman Kent -reported on the City -School Liaison Committee meeting last Thursday at the high school, which was held in response to questions about job/career training and use of TIF funds. He recommended a visit to the high school to this cutting edge program to help students get their lives together before they graduate. There also is a tie-in with evening school and more information is coming. 6th Ward. Alderman Moran said the meeting he and Alderman Kent attended was wonderful; thanked Allan Alson and all who work in the career pathways department. He had wanted to learn more about how the TIF funds are being used to enhance career training. He reported a long and illuminating meeting with the City -School Liaison Committee and said they were told a lot by highly motivated, intelligent people who work at the high school in the vocational area. They toured the facility and his favorite part was where youth learn about fixing automobiles. He reported that TIF monies have been used to create computer programs where students can sit down and visualize all the systems in an auto. They can go through these systems and find what is wrong with the car. Then they go from the theoretical directly to repairing the car. In five minutes, the teacher of that course had Alderman Moran wanting to take it. January 27, 2003 He thanked Nicor for the extraordinary efforts they made when the water main break in Wilmette occurred, which could have been disastrous to Evanston. He had read a letter to the editor of the Tribune by someone who took issue with an article the Tribune had published about concerns people had about the efforts of Nicor. He saw a phenomenal response, had never seen an organization come forward with so many people and so much equipment to make a non-stop effort under difficult weather conditions. One facility that could have been seriously affected was the Swedish Retirement Home. The afternoon of the outage he spoke to Susan Morse, the executive director, who was concerned about consequences for the seniors who live there. He noted that Nancy Flowers, the City's ombudsman, had arranged for residents to be placed in homes in the neighborhood if the Swedish Retirement Home had to be evacuated. A decision was made to keep residents in the home and at 5:00 a.m. gas service was restored. Mayor Morton reported hearing many complimentary comments about Nicor's work. 7th Ward. No report 81h Ward. No report 9th Ward. No report lst Ward. Alderman Newman was excited about Westwood Unlimited and owner -resident Bill Gilmore, who was approved by the P&D Committee that evening and ZBA for a blues club on Davis Street. He thought it would be a great addition to downtown and enhance the diversity of experiences people can have in downtown. He reported the Parking Committee met last week and that $1.7 million in new revenue from parking fines has been generated that will be incorporated into the budget after Alderman Feldman's budget amendment is adopted. He thanked David Jennings, Patrick Casey and Bill Stafford, who helped with that. He reported that there was a proposal for a 36-story building at 1800 Elgin Road with the first meeting continued to January 29 at 7:00 p.m. The developer has decided to go in another direction, so there will not be a 36-story building. He has had many calls about this building and has worked to get something that will satisfy the concerns of constituents and the developer's goals. He predicted a substantial reduction in height. Alderman Rainey asked that Council members receive the Parking Committee packet. Alderman Newman said there is no packet, only a few pages handed out at the meetings. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 10:03 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.