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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11_22_04_ccCITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESIDING: Alderman Wynne Alderman Bernstein Alderman Moran November 22, 2004 Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Rainey Alderman Feldman Aldermen Kent, Newman, Jean -Baptiste None Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, November 22, 2004, at 5:43 p.m. in the Aldermanic Library. Alderman Tisdahl moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to personnel, collective bargaining, real estate, litigation and closed session minutes pursuant to 5ILCS Section 120/2 (c) (1), (2), (5), (6), (11) and (21). Seconded by Alderman Feldman. (1)The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity. (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. (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. (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 — Wynne, Bernstein, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (6-0). At 7:18 p.m. Alderman Rainey moved that the Council reconvene into open session and recess. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Motion carried unanimouslv. Mayor Morton reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Recognition of Father Oldershaw Police Chief Frank Kaminski presented Father Oldershaw with an award on behalf of the Illinois Triad Council. Created in 1989, the triad stands for AARP, the National Sheriff's Association and the International Association of Chief s of Police. The Evanston Police Department nominated Father Oldershaw for this award, which is given each year to recognize individuals who help law enforcement. Chief Kaminski described Father Oldershaw as having a heart of grace and a soul generated by love. Father Oldershaw was recognized for his long standing building of partnerships within the community. He has served as a priest and chaplain in times of crises; provided comfort and support to victims and members of the Police Department and has been directly involved in efforts to stop violence. He is a graduate of the Evanston Police Academy and a member of the Illinois Association of Police Chaplains. Father Oldershaw expressed gratitude for the award; said it was a privilege to be a police chaplain and sacred to be a part of people's lives at critical times. He was grateful for the sacred trust given to him by the Police Department. November 22, 2004 ANNOUNCEMENTS: Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor announced that the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony would be at Fountain Square, the next evening at 5:30 p.m. He announced that the Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Fountain Square will be Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m. Robert Crown Center's 301h annual production of The Nutcracker on Ice will be December 10-12, with a Friday performance at 7:30 p.m., Saturday performances at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Public Works Director David Jennings announced that due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday Thursday pickups of refuse, recycling and yard waste would be on Saturday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday collections are unaffected. He reported that street cleaning ends November 30; snow parking regulations go into effect December 1 (don't park on snow routes at night during a snow emergency; park on the proper side of residential streets during the day; clear sidewalks of snow and ice and parking lots without pushing snow into the street). Curbside yard waste pickups end December 2 (Yard waste drop off at 2222 Oakton remains open until December 12.) Mayor Morton confirmed that these announcements are on the City's website (cityofevanston.org) and cable TV. CITIZEN COMMENT: Arthur Alterson, 120 Dewey Ave., spoke as a private citizen and reported that he and his wife had produced the largest radish ever grown in the 8th Ward. Karen Johnson, 1116 Austin St., loves her home, neighbors and neighborhood; spoke against the recommendation to include the Oakton Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places; listed positives and negatives about the recommendation; stated the recommendation had not been thoroughly investigated and did not meet standards; has irregular boundaries that were racially drawn. As owner of a non-contributing house, she was concerned that future buyers would avoid her home because of additional government oversight. She said the nomination fails to establish the legal requirements for a historic district. Others have noted inaccuracies about the styles listed and there were no master architects. She did not think this area qualified for a national historic district. Martha Rudv, 321 Greenwood St., board president of First Night Evanston, asked Council to approve relocating the New Year's Eve fireworks to the lakefront. Twelve years ago fireworks were launched from the Research Park, where there was space, and fireworks became a tradition. Several years ago fireworks were moved to vacant land next to the Sherman Avenue garage. She noted the two years when there were no fireworks had the lowest attendance/revenue. About 70% of attendees dine or shop in Evanston either prior to or after attending First Night events. They have investigated every possibility and cannot find anything comparable. First Night is sensitive to neighbors' concerns about noise and would do everything to mitigate it. No amplification would be used. The crowd is comprised of families, children and people who have not been drinking alcohol. The fireworks would be at the dog beach area and last from 5-7 minutes, then people would disperse quickly. Fireworks are an important part of this event and she urged approval of lakefront use. Corrine Piero2, 802 S. 5d , St. Charles, is the First Night Festival manager. She noted this is the largest such celebration in Illinois which brings in thousands of dollars to Evanston. Five hotels have signed on as partners to the event. IDOT and Pace bus have signed on as advertising contributors. Fireworks are part of the First Night Evanston celebration, a cultural multi -family event. They have looked at every possible space downtown and had no choice but the lakefront because they wanted a place that is easy to walk to. They hope that everyone will come down Church Street to see the fireworks. The Police Department will close Sheridan Road so that no traffic will be allowed from Clark to Davis Streets. Patrons will be on the west side of Sheridan Road. Three busses will take patrons to the area and return to Elgin Road. She asked for support and promised to make this location transfer as sensitive as possible for the neighborhood. They anticipate 2,000 people will attend the fireworks. Barbara Gardner, 1015 Dobson St., spoke on behalf of the Oakton Historic District. The area contains 203 primary November 22, 2004 structures of which 89% are contributing structures. She reported that research was done for three-four years and some interesting facts were found. This neighborhood has always been diverse. The district's boundaries were drawn by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and are irregular because they cut out structures that were not of the period, buildings built after WWII. There are minority families within the district. They found the appearance of the district was as important to original owners as to those who live there now. This area was zoned `B" district, which allowed two -flat properties on Dobson and Brummel up to 35-feet and on Mulford up to 45-feet. When the first two -flat was built on Dobson, neighbors were concerned and worried about their "beauty spot" and petitioned City Council to downzone the area to an "A" district. When Dobson residents were successful, the Mulford residents came to have theirs downzoned to 35-feet height. She thought the case had been made for the district to the Preservation Commission and will make the case to the State of Illinois. She said this was passed unanimously by the commission and the P&D Committee. Rvan KettelkamD. 1126 Brummel St., noted Evanston currently has three historic districts: Lakeshore, Ridge and Northeast and each has grand homes covering a wide range of Evanston's history. That evening they asked for approval of a fourth, the Oakton Historic District. It does not have grand homes but captures a 10-year snapshot of architectural history that highlighted the 1920s, an important time in the development of Evanston. This neighborhood reached it zenith and was almost entirely developed by the stock market crash of 1929. As a unique collection of homes, this area deserves recognition. He and other residents welcome the opportunity for this district to serve as a gateway to Evanston from the south. At three Preservation Commission meetings, neighbors both for and against the district presented their views and all learned a great deal about their viewpoints. After much research on the part of those favoring the district, and an intense period of testing of their resolve and research, he was pleased that the Preservation Commission made a unanimous recommendation to support the designation of this neighborhood as a National Historic District. They asked that the nomination be sent to the state, which would decide if it met standards of the National Park Service. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Change Order 41 to contract with DME Access; Resolution 77-R-04 - Authorize Interim City Manager to sign Settlement Agreement between City & Lincoln Schatz; Appeal of the SPAARC denial for antenna facility at 1235 Hartrey; Ordinance 108-0-04 - Modifications to BOCA National Fire Prevention Code and the recommendation to include the proposed Oakton Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye — Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 8, 2004. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: *Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payroll for the period through November 18, 2004 and City of Evanston bills for the period ending November 23, 2004 authorized and charged to the proper accounts: City of Evanston payroll (through 1 l/18/04) $1,965,617.27 City of Evanston bills (through 11/23/04) $4,369,697.31 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Consideration of a request from First Night Evanston to locate fireworks at the lakefront for their annual New Year's Eve celebration. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of a contract for the installation of a backup Data Center from HNG Electric in the amount of $204,400. November 22, 2004 (Funded in the Technology Replacement Fund and the Emergency Telephone Systems Fund.) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the purchase of one (1) Backhoe Loader for the Water & Sewer Division, from West Side Tractor Sales Company using a GSA Bid Contract in the amount of $87,841.25. (Funded in the Fleet Services Capital Outlay Fund.) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the lowest responsible and responsive bid from Standard Equipment Company for the purchase of a Street Sweeper at a cost of $126,292. (Funded in the Fleet Services Capital Outlay Fund.) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #2 to the contract with Clauss Brothers Inc., for the Eggleston Park Redevelopment Project at a cost of $4,620, increasing the total project cost from $483,477 to $488,097. (Funded in the CIP.) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 68-R-04 - Use of Evanston Township High School Field House for the Tennis Program - Consideration of Resolution 68-R-04 to use the ETHS field house for the Parks/Forestry & Recreation's tennis program. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 78-R-04 - Authoring the Interim Citv Manager to sign an agreement with ICMA - Consideration of proposed Resolution 78-R-04, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an agreement with ICMA for participation in the VantageCare Retiree Health Savings Plan for the Teamsters Local 714 (Evanston Chapter). * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 114-0-04 - Increase in Class B Liquor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 114-0-04, which amends Section 3-5-6(B) of the City Code to increase the number of Class B liquor licenses from 10 to 11 for 864 Corporation, DBA, The Celtic Knot, at 626 Church St. * MARKED INTRODUCED —CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Ordinance 113-0-04 - Special Use reauest for a Retirement Communitv a 3200 Grant St. - Consideration of the findings and report of the ZBA to recommend approval of an expansion to the retirement community special use to allow Presbyterian Homes to construct a one -car attached garage to the Trinity Court Townhomes. * MARKED INTRODUCED —CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 115-0-04 - Zoning Text Amendment, Impervious Surface Site Development Allowance & Other Modifications - Consideration of Ordinance 115-0-04 regarding the findings and report of the Plan Commission for an amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance to list increases in maximum impervious surface coverage as a planned development site development allowance and establishing 70% as the maximum impervious surface in the OH, hospital overlay district. MARKED INTRODUCED —CONSENT AGENDA * Consideration of approval of the contract between the City of Evanston and the Evanston Police Sergeants Association, Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, effective March 1, 2005, through February 28, 2006. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) APPOINTMENTS: 5 November 22, 2004 Mayor Morton asked that the following appointments be introduced: Claudia Kunin Arts Council 2423 W. Greenleaf, Chicago Judith Mittler Arts Council 1300 Central St. Margherita Andreotti Public Arts Committee 1115 Noyes St. James R. Kirby Public Arts Committee 419 Custer Ave. Constance Lyman Public Arts Committee 1048 Forest Ave. * INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Morton asked the following re -appointment be introduced: Andrew Paine Civil Service Commission 530 Hinman Ave. Mayor Morton asked the following re -appointment be confirmed: Peter Godwin Board of Ethics 2400 Lincolnwood Dr. For term ending November 30, 2007 Irwin Levinson Environment Board 1308 Kirk St. For term ending November 30, 2008 H. Zane Robbins Ladd Arboretum Committee 2759 Broadway Ave. For term ending November 30, 2007 Albert Hunter Plan Commission 1040 Elmwood Ave. For term ending November 30, 2007 Christopher Carey Preservation Commission 2739 Girard Ave. For term ending November 30, 2007 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Feldman noted that Change Order #1 to the contract with DME Access, Inc. for wheelchair lift replacement at Noyes Cultural Arts Center and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center was acted upon by Council at a prior meeting. November 22, 2004 Resolution 77-R-04 - Authorizine the Interim Citv Manager to sien a settlement agreement between the Citv of Evanston and Lincoln Schatz - Consideration of proposed Resolution 77-R-04, which authorizes the Interim City Manager to sign a settlement agreement between the City of Evanston and Lincoln Schatz. Alderman Feldman reported the A&PW Committee voted 2-2 on this Resolution. Alderman Feldman moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Alderman Rainey voted against this in committee although she was for a settlement. She felt the City was shortchanged and the artwork they are getting was beneath the definition of "public art." Alderman Moran urged Council to vote for settlement and would not make a case for the artwork titled "Penelope." He explained that this was settlement of a dispute with the artist. $175,000 has been hung up for two years due to this dispute over a failed piece of artwork titled "Nimbus" that was to be installed on the Maple Avenue garage. As part of the settlement, the City was offered intellectual property rights to "Nimbus" and this artwork. With settlement, this awkward situation will end and allow the public art program to move on. He would have no problem putting "Penelope" on eBay or other sensible suggestions. Voice vote. Motion carried. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: ADDeal of the Site Plan & ADDearance Review Committee - 1235 Hartrev Ave. - Consideration of an appeal by Sprint PCS of a denial by the SPAARC for a telecommunication antenna facility at 1235 Hartrey Ave. Alderman Wynne reported that this item was held in committee. Ordinance 108-0-04 - Amendment to Section 4-5-2 of the Evanston Citv Code with Modifications to Section F-502 and F-503 of the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code - Consideration of Ordinance 108-0-04, introduced October 25, 2004, which amends Section 4-5-2 of the City Code regarding Life Safety/Sprinkler Retrofit. Alderman Wynne read the following changes into the record: Page 5, Section F503.7.4 Appeal Process, Subsection A add two words to the final sentence, "Circuit Court." Subsection B, delete: "The Granting of the appeal or modification shall effect substantial conformance with the provisions of Section 503.7.4, provide for public safety, and do substantial justice." New sections added: "1. That the facility or structure is not subject to the Ordinance, or" and "2. That the systems, methods, or devices proposed by the Appellant are of superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability and safety over those prescribed by the applicable Codes adopted by the City." Section F503.7.5. Appeal of the Fire Chief s Decision was removed in entirety. Alderman Wynne moved approval of Ordinance 108-0-04. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye — Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). AGENDA ADDENDUM Consideration of recommendation to include the DroDosed Oakton Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places - Consideration and approval of a report and recommendation from the Preservation Commission that the Oak -ton Historic District be nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Alderman Wynne moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. November 22, 2004 Voice vote. Motion carried. CALL OF THE WARDS: 3'd Ward. No report. 4th Ward. Alderman Bernstein congratulated the 20th graduating class from the Citizens' Police Academy and encouraged Council members to attend. He wished all a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving and urged people to engage in acts of kindness. He thanked all for their get well wishes to his wife. 5thWard. No report. 6th Ward. Alderman Moran added his eood wishes to Jeanne Cleveland Bernstein. He reminded all of a meeting December 1, 7:00 p.m. of the Zoning Committee of the Plan Commission about changes to the B2 districts on Central Street and a Plan Commission meeting December 8, 7:00 p.m. where the commission will discuss building to the lot line in business districts. He called attention to a legislative bill that is a restriction against removal of billboards. He made a reference recently to the P&D Committee to consider introducing provisions that would disallow billboards on the embankment on Green Bay Road. Senate Bill 728 has not passed and the Illinois Municipal League (IML) opposes it. The bill requires municipalities that re -zone areas with outdoor advertising to pay compensation to the owner prior to removal of a billboard. He suggested they expedite consideration of this. He offered personal congratulations to Father Oldershaw for the award; did not know a kinder or more giving person than Father Oldershaw. He has worked with him on a number of issues and is very deserving of the award. 71h Ward. Alderman Tisdahl complimented Public Works Director David Jennings for coming out with Northwestern University student government, NU's facilities maintenance people and policeman to do an evening walk -around to see areas where students are concerned. She reported that the new lighting has made a difference and students were appreciative. The students hope to bring a request to the Council (with consent of NU administration) to install the new blue emergency phones, which are currently on NU property only, on City property, would be available to residents. 81h Ward. Alderman Rainey praised proponents of the Oakton Historic District; said this was as great an effort as that expended by the Northeast Historic District. It was a huge task to generate documentation that qualifies the district for historic designation. She found the information invaluable. She noted that federal historic districts, as they relate to the City's Zoning Ordinance, would be on the December 8 Plan Commission agenda. 9th Ward. Alderman Feldman reported receiving a phone call telling him that NU was giving $375,000 to the City for the next three years and it would buy property that generates nearly $1 million annually in property taxes. He was told the $375,000 could continue for another two years, if Council behaved. No mention was made of the complete takeover in future years, which would cut about $750,000 annually in property taxes from Evanston public schools. He noted that this Council has struggled for years to maintain the beauty and dignity of Evanston and provide a compassionate social services agenda. He said they were always struggling and will never have enough money. All of the economic development has produced some modicum of success but there is more to do. The inference that NU is allowing the City a few years to replace that money is so objectionable and so insensitive to understanding what this town is about, that he was astonished that NU could be in the same town and have that kind of attitude. It was sad that an institution that is so vital and important in this community could display the kind of inconsideration, aggressive and predatory action that the purchase of this property demonstrated. NU was a partner with the City to create the Research Park to provide buildings that would remain on the tax rolls. That was known from the beginning. Underpinning it all was land that did not provide any income, to allow the City and NU (in partnership) to develop it. Then NU turns around in the stealth of night, without coming to the City, without the decency to say it had a problem. This piece of property was bought, which negates the entire basis of the Research Park and the understandings they have had. They know that NU needs more November 22, 2004 space. It is a growing institution. There are many ways that need could have been filled. It owns vacant property behind the Hilton Hotel and has vast acres on the lakefront. NU created an immense wound in the budgets of the schools and the City. Then it had the nerve to call this a gift and say that it would make up for any shortfalls. NU signed an agreement as part of a settlement with the City to have a committee discuss issues of mutual concern. Is $1 million taken off the tax rolls an issue of mutual concern? He found it the most aggressive act by NU he has seen in his 18 years on Council -- aggressive against citizens who will have to make up whatever has been removed from the tax rolls. Citizens pay for NU. He said this is a sad day for Evanston. NU has brought shame upon itself for the way it acted without concern for the people in the community and without consultation. He said that decency in Evanston has died. Vt Ward. Alderman Newman said when they discuss the tax base, they are talking about who can afford to live in Evanston. All benefit from an expanded tax base. He recalled in 1985 when speakers against the creation of the Research Park expressed their fear that NU could not be relied on to keep the interests of the City. What happened here is why people who live west of Sheridan Road wanted a change in zoning for years because NU all of a sudden started bulldozing. There was no consultation, no public process, nothing. When NU purchased 1800 Sherman, a press release was put out that described the donation and talked about what cannot be done west of Sheridan Rd. NU can still do many things west of Sheridan Rd., but must go through a public process. It cannot act unilaterally. It would have to consult, persuade, compromise and isn't interested in doing that, which is equated with not being able to do anything. Elected officials who sing NU's praises and those who are friendly to the University were not consulted about taking a piece of property off the tax rolls that the City spent thousands of hours in the early 1980s getting this building constructed to expand the tax base. 1800 Sherman was a cornerstone of the Research Park. NU signed on to a plan to put land on the tax rolls. Three buildings that were built while the Research Park partnership was in effect were on the tax rolls, but are virtually wiped out by this building going off. NU says that most of the building will stay on the tax rolls. In the short run that is probably true, but in the long run this building is coming off the tax rolls. This is a tax increase for every business and every citizen here. He said to see an article in the Chicago Tribune Saturday morning report that NU made a donation to the City was appalling. That is what they are dealing with — a "Spin City" operation. The headline should have read "property taken off tax rolls, taxpayers pay more." This was not a donation, but a mitigating act. He thought that NU's administration understood what it had to do — it had to act brutally in its own self-interest and let the community end up with less. NU claimed that it does not have land. He urged people not to listen, but to visit the NU campus and look around. NU has a tough decision to make. It has to spend money on all surface parking lots and build parking structures as the City has done. There are difficult decisions on the recreational land it has along the lake. He said that any decision making process within the University is difficult. When it wanted to build on the four acres on the in -fill, it found itself in a hornet's nest. This was much easier because it was done quietly, without any public process and any consultation with the City/schools. If people want to provide services to the poor in Evanston, a good tax base is needed. If they want to have people able to rent here, there must be reasonable taxes. When a downtown office building, and there aren't many as big as 1800 Sherman, comes off the tax rolls, all take a step backwards. 0 Ward people have sought fair zoning that protects residential neighborhoods, as has every other alderman. There are people who will not see this clearly. This is not about City Council but about citizens here going downhill due to NU's self- interest and using its tax-exempt status on commercial property. This is not educational property. Now people should understand why those in the I" Ward want protection from NU. Someday they will learn that this Council stood up to NU and that if somehow the City only talked to them -- this situation is where NU had an opportunity to talk to the City if administrators chose to. Maybe the community will be able to get six -eight jobs from NU for Summer Youth Employment or NU will donate a couple of parking spaces to the City. This is an example of NU walking away from every commitment it made to the Research Park. It has walked away from parking and from keeping land on the tax rolls. 1800 Sherman was a cornerstone of the TIF district and the City must continue to pay off the bonds. Until people see that keeping properties on the tax rolls is the key to keeping taxes down here, they will go backwards. People need to understand that the reason NU wanted this building was so that people can walk to the campus and administrative offices. There is land in other parts of town that could have been purchased for administrative offices. 2°d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste advocated discussion but agreed with the criticism of NU's act. It was difficult to understand the monetary gift and purchase of 1800 Sherman. He suggested they engage in an immediate discussion with NU and lay out all the issues and not talk to NU through the media. He would seek rectification. Perhaps they can see if there are some common issues. He spoke about the City's commitment to youth noting the City used to have a Youth Commission and a Youth Center. November 22, 2004 Since the Levy Center was converted from a youth center to a senior center, he thought that youth services had not been analyzed. He made a reference to the Human Services Committee to Dut this on their agenda immediately; to look at the history of services to vouth; consider what is currentiv being offered to vouth and examine how thev can set uD programs for vear-round assistance for iob training and for those who find it hard to transition due to a criminal background or lack of training. He thought it would be in the interest of the community to help these people become productive and asked that this be discussed as soon as possible. He said that many have looked at the City's M/W/EBE program, which is related to youth services. While the program has achieved its goals, people are dissatisfied by the returns on contracts. Those people hired as minorities are not from here. Evanston residents are not getting jobs. At the A&PW Committee those questions were raised again. The committee will look at components of the contracts that can incorporate jobs for residents. He suggested they look at the human service impact of the M/W/EBE programs and to bring legal into the discussion to consider as a home rule city that independent decisions could be made. Mayor Morton asked if the request for information included how the Recreation Department could contribute to programming for youth services? Yes. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recording of this meeting has been made Dart of the permanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office.