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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10_24_05_cc CITY COUNCIL October 24, 2005 ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Wynne Alderman Moran Alderman Bernstein Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Holmes Alderman Hansen A Quorum was present. Alderman Wollin NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Aldermen Jean-Baptiste and Rainey PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Monday, October 24, 2005, at 8:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber. 2005 Environmental Stewardship Awards Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor announced the first annual environmental stewardship awards were given to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to environmental education and protection. Environment Board Chair Steve Lupton and Vice Chair Len Sciarra presented four 2005 Evanston Environment Awards. The first was given to Craig Smith, a science teacher at ETHS, for his Environmental Education Demonstration Project. A two-acre lot behind the football field was transformed into a Nature Center with a wet and dry prairie, a savannah, ponds, wetland habitats and a horticulture study plot. The second award went to Pat Cleveland, a third grade teacher at Dewey Elementary School, for her “Roots & Shoots” after-school program. Students have done beach cleanups, raised money for environmental causes, designed a peace garden at Dewey and built a peace dove kite which the students brought to the chamber. The third and fourth awards were given to School Districts 65 and 202 for the Installation of Energy Efficient Solar Photovoltaic Cells. The districts have installed solar panels at Haven Middle School and at ETHS, which demonstrates a commitment to using sustainable energy to reduce the schools’ maintenance and operational costs. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Assistant City Manager Judith Aiello invited all to the Annual Enjoy Halloween Day at the Farmers’ Market from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday and to come in costume, decorate pumpkins and trick or treat. Finance Director Bill Stafford announced that 2006 Evanston vehicle stickers would go on sale Tuesday, November 1, at 8:30 a.m. in the Collector’s Office. Pre-printed forms will be sent to vehicle owners in the community. There will be extended hours on Saturdays, November 12, December 10, and January 7 with extra hours on January 3, 4, 5 and 9. The 2006 sticker must be displayed on the vehicle by January 10, 2006. A senior citizen discount is available to persons over 65 years of age who meet income guidelines. The new 2006 sticker is easier to apply and take off. City Manager Julia Carroll stated the City was proud of police and fire personnel who participated on behalf of the City after Hurricane Katrina. Police Chief Frank Kaminski and Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky recognized six employees who had provided assistance in Mississippi and Louisiana last month. Chief Berkowsky reported that Sunday, September 4 the City received an official request for assistance. Less than 12 hours later four firefighters dropped everything and joined 60 other local firefighters, six engines, two trucks, numerous vehicles and drove 1,000 miles to Slidell, LA. At the same time Police Officer Jeff Devroy arrived in New Orleans. He said the two weeks spent there were a life-changing experience. Division Chief Gannon narrated a short PowerPoint presentation of the trip. There were 22 vehicles in their convoy. Evanston firefighters relieved Slidell firefighters who had worked eight straight days. What they saw was hard to comprehend and they averaged about two fires a day. They left an Illinois flag signed by Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Regan, Captain Jim DuPont, Captain Dennis McGuigan and Division Chief Ron Gannon. Firefighter/ Paramedic Tom 2 October 24, 2005 Janetske just returned from Gulfport, MS as a FEMA coordinator. Chief Berkowsky expressed pride in the work of these individuals under extremely stressful conditions and was glad that Evanston could provide help to others in time of need. Chief Frank Kaminski presented each individual with a ribbon for distinguished service for their specific contribution to the Katrina effort. He noted these people worked 12-hour shifts, left their families and went there without question, which shows the caliber of these employees. City Manager Julia Carroll announced recognition of the Evanston Police Department for its accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agency. The Evanston Police Department first received accreditation in 1989 and most recently was re-accredited in 2005. A team of three assessors visited May 1-4 to examine all aspects of the Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. After reviewing written materials, interviewing individuals and visiting offices and other places where compliance could be witnessed, the assessors found the Police Department to be in compliance with 417 applicable standards. The assessment team was composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. As part of the on-site assessment, City employees and the community were invited to offer comments to the assessment team on May 2 and by telephone. A copy of the standards was available for viewing by the public at the police station at 1454 Elmwood Avenue. Once the assessors completed their review, they submitted a written report of their findings to the full Commission. After a hearing at the Summer Conference in Boston, the Commission unanimously voted to award accreditation status to the Evanston Police Department. Ms Carroll presented Certificates of Appreciation to Brian Scruggs, Accreditation Manager and Chief Frank Kaminski. Ms. Carroll also presented a Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation to the Police Department. Chief Kaminski accepted the award on behalf of all employees at the Police Department. He commented that it is everybody’s work at the department to practice the highest standards in policing. He thanked Brian Scruggs, Commander Pettineo and Sergeant Jamraz for their work on the accreditation team. CITIZEN COMMENT: Jill Sager, 614 Clark St., spoke about Resolution 71-R-05, the Northwestern University Light Installation Light Agreement. She said after the recent string of incidents against students, lighting is important. Students walk a lot and like lights because they make it safer. The place where the lights will be installed is dark now. Many students park their cars in the area and go to events. This is a wonderful way for the University and City to work together to make everyone safer. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Moran moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exceptions: approval of 2006 City Council Meeting Calendar; Ordinance 118-O-05 - Planned Development - 1567 Maple Ave.; and Ordinance 117-O-05 – Affordable Housing Demolition Tax. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye – Jean-Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin. Voting nay – none. Motion carried (9-0). ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 10, 2005. * 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 October 20, 2005 and City of Evanston bills for the period ending October 25, 2005, authorized and charged to the proper accounts: 3 October 24, 2005 City of Evanston payroll (10/20/05) $2,228,350.04 City of Evanston bills (through 10/25/05) $4,600,372.44 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of a two-year GSA contract with Verizon Wireless (1515 E. Woodfield, Schaumburg) for staff cellular phones in the total amount of $30,000. Funded by FY 2005-06 departments’ wireless budget. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the sole-source purchase for two automatic defibrillator life packs from Medtronic Emergency Response Systems (11811 Willows Rd., Redmond, WA) in the amount of $40,516.76. Funded by the Fire Capital Outlay fund. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of a professional services contract with Virchow-Krause & Company for improvements to the City’s development review process, at a cost of $54,615. Funded by the Economic Development fund. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #1 to the contract with Schroeder & Schroeder, Inc. (7306 Central Park, Skokie) for the 50/50 Sidewalk Program with an increased cost of $34,387.35 to the original contract amount of $96,725 for a total of $131,112.35. Funded by GO bonds and 50% homeowners share. * APPROVED – CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) AGENDA ADDENDUM * Approval of sole-source contract with Central Lakes Construction Company, Inc., (749 Pinecrest Dr., Prospect Heights) for roof repairs to the 911 Dispatch Center ceiling in an amount not-to-exceed $60,000. Funded by the Emergency Telephone System fund. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * * * * * Resolution 71-R-05 – Northwestern University Light Installation Agreement – Consideration of proposed Resolution 71-R-05, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an agreement with Northwestern University for the installation of lighting fixtures in the City’s right-of-way. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 119-O-05 – Amendment to Real Estate Transfer Tax – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 119-O-05, which amends Section 3-29-6(K) of the City Code pertaining to Real Estate Transfer tax-exempt transactions. * MARKED INTRODUCED – CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 108-O-05 – Amends the Composition of the Emergency Telephone System Board – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 108-O-05, introduced October 10, 2005, which amends Section 2-12-2 of the City Code, relating to the composition of the Emergency Telephone System Board. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Request for $110,000 in HOME Funds to the Evanston Housing Coalition – Consideration of the Housing Commission recommendation to approve the request for $110,000 in HOME funds to the Evanston Housing Coalition for the rehab of two single-family homes at 1933 Dodge Ave. and 1915 Foster St. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) 4 October 24, 2005 APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked that the following reappointment be confirmed: Mary Friedl Commission on Aging 1313 Cleveland St. For term ending October 30, 2008 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Rainey reported the 2006 City Council Meeting Calendar would be considered at the Rules Committee meeting on November 7. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance 118-O-05 - Planned Development - 1567 Maple Ave. - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 118-O-05, introduced October 10, 2005, the Planning & Development Committee’s recommendation for a planned development at 1567 Maple Ave., which would consist of 126 condominium units and first floor commercial space for Winthrop Properties. Assistant Corporation Counsel Ellen Szymanski read the following amendments to Section 8, new paragraph 6). “The Applicant shall pay to the City annually, prior to December 31st of each year, the sum of eight hundred twenty dollars ($820) per parking space to be based on the net spaces lost due to the subject development. The developer will receive a credit for any spaces replaced on Maple Avenue due to the elimination of driveways. The City shall determine the net loss of spaces after consultation with the developer. The annual fee per space shall be adjusted to match the parking meter rate for meters on Elmwood Avenue in this block as they may be revised in the future. Fee payments shall be directed to the attention of the Director of Community Development. The developer shall make the annual fee requirement a prominent part of the condominium declaration and disclosure documents. The Applicant shall assure that the obligation to adhere to the annual fee requirement is imposed upon the condominium association or other entity formed to administer and/or manage the property, and that said obligation continues unless released or modified by prior consent of the City Council. The Traffic Report from Director of Public Works David C. Jennings to City Manager Julia A. Carroll dated October 17, 2005, regarding the subject development shall be incorporated herein by reference as an Exhibit to this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall control over the Traffic Report in the event of any inconsistencies.” Alderman Bernstein moved to accept the amendments to the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Wollin. Voice vote motion carried. Alderman Bernstein moved approval of Ordinance 118-O-05 as amended. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Roll call. Voting aye – Jean-Baptiste, Wynne, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin. Voting nay – none. Abstained - Bernstein. Motion carried (8-0-1). Alderman Bernstein abstained due to a possible conflict of interest. Ordinance 117-O-05 – Affordable Housing Demolition Tax – Consideration of a staff recommendation to adopt a Demolition Teardown Tax, which requires a $10,000 tax for all single- family homes demolished, $10,000 for two-family attached (townhouse) and two family structures, and for multi-family, $10,000 or $3,000 per unit whichever is greater. Alderman Bernstein asked that Ordinance 117-O-05 be marked introduced and referred back to the committee. 5 October 24, 2005 CALL OF THE WARDS: 2nd Ward. Alderman Jean-Baptiste referred to the Environment Board presentation earlier, noting that Evanston’s Sister City, Belize City has a lot of sunlight that is not harnessed due to a lack of technology. He asked City Manager Carroll to ask the Environment Board what options are available that could be shared with Belize City and to report back on the results of that discussion. He observed while the City is taking applications from organizations asking for CDBG funds, job training and job placement for youth comes up again and again. The committee asked what District 202 is doing with TIF funds that were earmarked for job training? He recalled the City-School Liaison Committee had discussed this several years ago, but they don’t know if the high school produces options for kids to get job skills. He asked City Manager Carroll to send a letter to District 202 to inquire about the nature of the program, outcomes and what areas are covered such as computer technology, vocational training, HVAC and the like. 3rd Ward Alderman Wynne reported that the Police Department had done a superb job of solving the bomb threats at Nichols School and thanked them for their quick work on behalf of parents of Nichols’ students. 4th Ward. No report 5th Ward. Alderman Holmes asked Council to join her in congratulating Carlos Mitchem “Mitch,” who just retired from the Police Department after 37½ years. He will be missed. She also congratulated the Foster Senior Service Club on its annual fashion show at Fleetwood-Jourdain. She reported the 5th Ward has planted tulips thanks to the Evanston Health Department and the American Tobacco Association and predicated that next spring there will be beautiful red tulips all over the 5th Ward. 6th Ward. Alderman Moran invited neighbors to a meeting Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m., Room 2200, Civic Center, about stretches of certain streets that are narrow where parking could be stripped or the street widened to permit emergency vehicles to access them. Staff will make a presentation about a two block stretch on Hartzell starting at Ewing going two blocks west. He congratulated the student group at Northwestern University and staff for putting together the resolution on lighting. Alderman Moran made a reference to the Rules Committee about Rule 2.1 (10) Call of the Wards and what is proper subject for discussion for either an interpretation or amendment. Seconded by Alderman Jean Baptiste. 7th Ward. Alderman Tisdahl invited all to the 7th Ward meeting on November 8 at the Civic Center at 7:00 p.m. She reported getting blue phones at the 911 Committee and asked if a recommendation was forthcoming. Yes. 8th Ward. Alderman Rainey noted Council had approved the 1567 Maple Avenue Project and her comments were about a partner in that project, Ibrahim Shihadeh. She spoke of his efforts in the south Evanston community. He purchased and renovated two 24-unit buildings that no one else would purchase and made them habitable. He also purchased another building and renovated that and maintains a fourth building as a rental. Mr Shihadeh has made an apartment available free to a Katrina victim for a year. She noted the Cook County Housing Authority has oversight for two senior citizen buildings in Evanston, 1900 Sherman and Noyes Court and that disabled persons are entitled to live in senior citizen buildings. She reads the Police Department daily bulletin and once in a while sees a 1900 Sherman or Noyes Court address. She read a rap sheet on a man who lives at 1900 Sherman that was recently arrested for theft. He was seen carrying a treadmill out of 1900 Sherman and returning it because he could not sell it for drug money, then stole something else and was caught. This man is 35-years old, living in housing for the elderly that is being paid for by American taxpayers. His rap sheet 6 October 24, 2005 includes sexual assault, assault, fraud, criminal damage to property, obstruction, burglary, disorderly, traffic and he is on probation from the Tallahassee Department of Corrections. She pointed out the Housing Authority of Cook County has allowed this man to move into this building and jeopardize the safety of senior citizens that cannot fend for themselves. She was concerned about this and asked the City Manager Carroll to take this matter to the Cook County Housing Authority. She does not want a man from Florida living here and endangering the lives of senior citizens. Mayor Morton said the problem is known and had hoped with a new director something could be done. However, the regulation is to place people with disabilities in senior housing. Mental health problems are classified as disabilities. The government made this bad decision sometime ago. Alderman Rainey had no problem with a disabled person living with senior citizens. This man’s disabilities are schizophrenia and AIDS. She said common sense is needed and this is an issue for their representatives in Washington and HUD. Alderman Rainey was not sure that felons have all these exemptions because they are disabled. 9th Ward. No report 1st Ward. Alderman Wollin reported meeting with Noyes Court, the Police Department and Cook County officials. A room-to-room survey is being done by police. While the offense Alderman Rainey mentioned is egregious, she stated there are problems with legitimate residents having their family members join them. They are working on this problem. Alderman Wollin reported that morning Congresswoman Schakowsky sponsored a seminar at the Raven Theater in Chicago for board members and staff of arts organizations on how to keep people involved and happy with volunteer work and what the state can do. The Illinois Alliance for the Arts and the Donors Forum were there. It was wonderful morning of information and best practices for arts organizations. Many Evanston people attended and it reminded her of how many people contribute their time and talent to this community. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 9:50 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recording of this meeting has been made part of the permanent record and is available in the City Clerk’s office.