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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11_27_06_ccCITY COUNCIL November 27, 2006 ROLL CALL – PRESENT: Alderman Wynne Alderman Moran Alderman Bernstein Alderman Tisdahl A Quorum was present. Alderman Holmes Alderman Wollin NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Aldermen Rainey, Hansen and Jean-Baptiste PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Monday, November 27, 2006, at 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morton announced the passing of Julia Carroll’s mother and extended condolences on behalf of the Council to Ms. Carroll and her family. She introduced Rolanda Russell, the new Assistant City Manager. Public Works Director David Jennings announced the last day of leaf and yard waste pickups, street cleaning was Thursday, November 30. Yard waste can be dropped off at the Recycling Center through Sunday, December 10. Mr. Jennings reminded all of the community snow meeting Thursday, November 30, 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to learn about snow parking regulations. Awards for the First Annual Painting Evanston Plows will be presented. Public Hearing: 2006 Property Tax Levy for the City and Township Finance Director Matthew Grady recommended adoption of Ordinances 110-O-06, 111-O-06 and 112-O-06, which are based upon the 2006-07 budget adopted in February 2006 and the basis for a balanced budget. As required by Illinois law on property taxes, the City must conduct a Truth in Taxation Hearing and certify the levies with the County Clerk by December 31, 2006. The new rates will be used commencing with the January bill and collected in two installments in March and August 2007. Timothy Schoolmaster, 1454 Elmwood Ave., trustee and president of the Evanston Police Pension Fund Board, noted the proposed levy of $4.1 million for the Pension Fund for the following year is a 1.7% increase over the prior year. Some years ago, the Appellate Court (in another matter) determined that the City had to use figures derived actuarially. This past year a two-year study was commissioned. A reputable firm recommended that actuarially accepted standards and numbers be used. The minimum to comply with the law is $5.1 million (a 21% increase) and to make the fund in compliance within the time the statute calls for is $5.9 million. He noted the manager addressed this and attributed most of the problem to new benefits and investment return. Those are correct, but in small measure. He appreciated Council re- thinking this and would be happy to make a presentation. The board believes this must be addressed. Alderman Tisdahl made a reference to the A&PW Committee to study the Fire/Police Pension funds to determine if they are adequately funded. Mayor Morton recalled receiving information from an actuary that the pension funds were up to date. Alderman Rainey recalled that and the state requirement that the City has an actuary assess the required commitment every year. She, too, believed that the City was living up to that. Mr. Schoolmaster stated the City has contributed the figure suggested by an actuary, but some of the assumptions are far off. One assumption was that half the officers would retire between the ages of 65 and 70. All officers are out by age 63. 2 November 27, 2006 It assumes people pay in longer and draw down lower, which would lower the amounts paid in. Gerald Gordon, 1228 Lake St., spoke about Ordinance 110-O-06, which asks for a tax levy of $25.48 million for FY 2006-07. That number requires an increase over last year’s tax levy of $975,835, which is on page 71 of the approved budget. He strongly urged them to hold the line on taxes and not increase the tax levy beyond what was levied last year. As he noted in his comments two weeks ago, the 2006 General Fund Unreserved Fund balance increased $3.59 million to $18.48 million, which is $11.36 million greater than, or 2.6 times, the Unreserved Fund Balance required by the Council’s Fund Balance Policy. He recommended they transfer the entire $975,835 increase from the Unreserved General Fund Balance to the levy, thereby holding the line on taxes. Alderman Rainey asked if Mr. Gordon’s last presentation had been responded to. Mr. Grady stated as soon as City Manager Carroll returned they would respond. The administration’s position would be not to move any dollars, based upon a challenging 2007-08 budget. Mr. Gordon said the Unreserved Fund Balance was from the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which he copied and added to his letter. Alderman Bernstein moved to hold the tax levies over until the December 11 Council meeting. No one objected. At 8:50 p.m. Mayor Morton declared the Public Hearing over. CITIZEN COMMENT: Junad Rizki, 2767 Ridge Ave., asked if cost-cutting would serve the taxpayers or the administration? Every year the library director recommends that branch libraries be shut down. Citizens have to continually come here and waste their time supporting the branches. This needed to be put to rest before budget deliberations begin. He is troubled by a lack of priorities. Council recently put a referendum on the ballot that would help a few families. Since 1994, the City claims to have helped 149 families get affordable housing. During that time, the branch libraries have seen 1.4 million users. A recent memo showed a cost savings of $550,000 if branch libraries were shut down. Yet in the City budget he sees $350,000 for both branches. There are discrepancies throughout the budget. He asked would the library director take a $550,000 or $350,000 hit if the branch libraries were actually cut. Positive changes need to occur. Maybe passing control away from the library was needed. He has suggested rest rooms at the north branch be upgraded. He asked to consider combining the library with the adjoining store, which the City owns, and finding somebody who might want to run a joint operation with the City such as a food or snack tenant operation and create a multi-use space for taxpayers. The tenant would pay for renovation costs. On the south branch, instead of soliciting money for affordable housing, he suggested the City can get space in a new building or a new south branch building. He is against the children’s renovation at the main library because it was presented poorly and claimed it would help minority children. He did not think any minority children live in downtown Evanston. While he is against tax increases, he suggested a children’s library should be built in either the 8th or 5th Ward rather than waste money on a renovation. COMMUNICATIONS: None CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Moran moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: proposal to eliminate Night Sweeping/Cleaning on most residential streets; Resolution 74-R-06 – Purchase of Electrical Power for City of Evanston; Ordinance 110-O-06 – 2006 City of Evanston Tax Levy; Ordinance 111-O-06 – Evanston Township/City of Evanston Tax Levy; Ordinance 112-O-06 – SSA #4/City of Evanston Tax Levy; Ordinance 114-O-06 – Planned Development & Map Amendment Request for 2424 Oakton St. and Release of Restrictive Covenants – 2424 Oakton St. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye – Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean-Baptiste. Voting nay – none. Motion carried (9-0). 3 November 27, 2006 ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 13, 2006. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: *Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston payroll for the period through November 16, 2006 and City of Evanston bills for the period ending November 28, 2006, authorized and charged to the proper accounts: City of Evanston payroll (through 11/16/06) $2,208,120.80 City of Evanston bills (through 11/28/06) $4,445,834.60 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 65-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 1997 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 65-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $1,287,618 on Series 1997 General Obligation Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 66-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 1999 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 66-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $3,421,456 on Series 1999 GO Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 67-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2000 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 67-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $2,806,500 on Series 2000 GO Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 68-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2002A and 2002B GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 68-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $3,260,000 on Series 2002A and 2002B GO Variable Rate Demand Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 69-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2002C GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 69-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $443,932 on Series 2002C GO Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 70-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2003 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 70-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $984,788 on Series 2003 GO Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 71-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2004 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 71-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $109,450 on Series 2004 GO Corporate Purpose Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 72-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2005 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed 4 November 27, 2006 Resolution 72-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $1,872,142 on Series 2005 GO Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 73-R-06 – Debt Abatement – Series 2006 GO Bonds – Consideration of proposed Resolution 73-R-06, which abates a portion of the 2006 debt service property tax levy in the amount of $606,198 on Series 2006 GO Bonds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 113-O-06 – Proposes the Extension (Years) and Expansion (Area) of Special Service Area (SSA) No. 4 – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 113-O-06, which proposes the extension (years) and expansion (Area) of Special Services Area No. 4 for 12 additional years and provides for a public hearing and other procedures in connection therewith. * MARKED INTRODUCED – CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 116-O-06 – Amend Section 10-11-5, Schedule V(A) of City Code – One-Way Stop at Seward St. and Barton Ave. – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 116-O-06, which amends Section 10-11-5, Schedule V(A) of the City Code to establish a one-way stop at Seward St. and Barton Ave. * MARKED INTRODUCED – CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 106-O-06 – Sale of City Surplus Property – Fleet Vehicles – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 106-O-06, introduced November 13, 2006, which authorizes the sale of City surplus fleet vehicles at the Obenauf Auction Service Municipal Equipment Auction on December 2, 2006 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake, Ill. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Ordinance 115-O-06 – Amends the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 115-O-06, which amends Ordinance 27-O-06 to include a provision that 30% of the required affordable dwelling units for a development must be built on-site. * MARKED INTRODUCED – CONSENT AGENDA (This item was returned to committee) * Application Appealing the Preservation Commission’s Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Demolition of the Evanston Landmark at 1722 Central St. – Consideration of the application appealing the Preservation Commission’s denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for demolition of the Evanston Landmark at 1722 Central St. Staff recommends that the Planning & Development Committee schedule the hearing for the same date that P&D would hear the Plan Commission’s recommendation regarding the planned development for 1700-1722 Central St. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 108-O-06 – Special Use Type 2 Restaurant – Linz & Vail, 2012 Central – Consideration of a recommendation, introduced November 13, 2006, from the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve a special use for a Type 2 restaurant, Linz & Vail, at 2012 Central St. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: * Approval of October 2006 Township Monthly Bills – Consideration of a recommendation to approve the Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of October 2006 in the amount of $77,063.01. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Acceptance of FY 2006-07 Township Annual Audit – Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council, acting as Township Trustees, accept the FY 2006-07 Annual Audit of the Township of 5 November 27, 2006 Evanston. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked that the following appointments be confirmed: Yvonne Smith Arts Council 3038 Hartzell St. For term ending November 30, 2009 Susan Cherco Commission on Aging 2404 Prospect Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 Gloria Combs Commission on Aging 1930 Ridge Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 Carny Diane Etkin Commission on Aging 114 Kedzie St. For term ending November 30, 2009 Franklin H. Streitfeld Commission on Aging 1616 Hinman Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 William Gallagher Environment Board 721 Dobson St. For term ending November 30, 2010 Eli A. Port Environment Board 1564 Ashland Ave. For term ending November 30, 2010 Michael S. Marcus Housing Commission 1123 Hull Tr. For term ending November 30, 2009 William Logan, Jr. Human Relations Commission 1031 McDaniel Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 Donald L. Opitz Ladd Arboretum Committee 134 Clyde Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 Jill E. Bagajski Public Art Committee 400 Ridge Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 Jacqueline S. Henderson Public Art Committee 1406 Oak Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 6 November 27, 2006 Daniel Rodriguez Public Art Committee 807 Church St. For term ending November 30, 2009 Richard Zeid Public Art Committee 321 Custer Ave. For term ending November 30, 2009 * APPROVED – CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Holmes moved approval of a proposal from the Public Works Department, Streets & Sanitation Division, to eliminate nighttime street cleaning on most residential streets and provide cleaning during daytime hours only. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Alderman Holmes reported the committee voted on updated recommendations as follows: Maintain the existing frequency of sweeping; keep the fine at $25 on streets with parking on both sides; eliminate towing and implement a fine of $75 on one-sided streets; increase publicity by announcing street cleaning schedules in the Evanston Review, Evanston Roundtable and Daily Northwestern on cable TV and radio; make an assessment of changes in a mid-year report. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution 74-R-06 – Purchase Electrical Power for the City of Evanston – Consideration of proposed Resolution 74-R-06, which would allow the City of Evanston to enter into an agreement for the purchase of electrical power with either Sempra Energy Solutions or Constellation New Energy. Costs for the electricity used will be allocated to each account without any changes and are not to exceed $1,795,268. Alderman Holmes reported that this item was held in committee. Ordinance 110-O-06 – 2006 City of Evanston Tax Levy – Consideration of proposed ordinance 110- O-06, introduced November 13, 2006, which legally imposes the City of Evanston property tax levy for the General Fund and the Police and Fire pension funds in the amount of $25,483,673 for FY 2006-07. A public hearing will be held on this tax levy at the Council meeting of November 27, 2006. Ordinance 111-O-06 – 2006 Evanston Township Tax Levy – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 111-O-06, introduced November 13, 2006, which legally imposes the City of Evanston property tax levy for Evanston Township in the amount of $1,359,134 for FY 2006-07. A public hearing will be held on this tax levy at the Council meeting of November 27, 2006. Ordinance 112-O-06 – 2006 Special Service Area #4 Tax Levy – Consideration of proposed Ordinance 112-O-06, introduced November 13, 2006, which legally imposes the City of Evanston property tax levy for Special Service Area #4 in the amount of $255,000 for FY 2006-07. A public hearing will be held on this tax levy at the Council meeting of November 27, 2006. Alderman Holmes reported that all three tax levy ordinances would be held at Council. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance 114-O-06 – Planned Development & Map Amendment – 2424 Oakton St. – Consideration of a recommendation, introduced November 13, 2006, from the Plan Commission to approve a 7 November 27, 2006 planned development for a proposed mixed-use project to include office, commercial and retail uses. The proposed amendment will rezone portions of the property from the I2 General Industrial District to the C1 Commercial District. Release of Restrictive Covenants – 2424 Oakton St. – Consideration of the release of restrictive covenants dated December 19, 1951 and November 30, 1961, which imposed certain restrictions on the property at 2424 Oakton St. Alderman Jean-Baptiste reported that the above two items were held in committee. CALL OF THE WARDS: All City Council members expressed their condolences to City Manager Julia Carroll on the death of her mother. 3rd Ward. Alderman Wynne reported the meeting on the Lakefront Management Plan was off to a good start. Two more meetings will be held Tuesday, December 5 and Wednesday, December 6. Contact Doug Gaynor to attend. 4th Ward. Alderman Bernstein noted the passing of Gloria Harris, who served as Deputy Township Assessor for six years while he was Township Assessor. She served many in the community and will be missed. 5th Ward. Alderman Holmes expressed condolences to the family of Mrs. Dotson who lived to be 101 years of age. She thanked the Task Force on the study of youth; thought the comments on race were timely. 6th Ward. Alderman Moran looked forward to completion of the Planning & Development Committee’s visioning exercise for downtown Evanston. In May he attended a conference about livable cities. One component was the establishment of large public spaces within cities as a gathering point. He suggested they consider such a public place in downtown Evanston. In time, he saw reexamination of Fountain Square and how it is set up currently. He asked Council to keep that area in mind for use by the City and citizens. 7th Ward. Alderman Tisdahl reported behavior at the last football game between NU and Illinois was much better managed. NU provided more port-a-potties and police; asked the press to publicize the December 4 Police Report Meeting to the City Council. 8th Ward. Alderman Rainey reported an excellent South Evanston meeting with City Manager Carroll and Assistant City Manager Rolanda Russell. The main topic was the lack of civility in Evanston. She noted the tire slashings in north Evanston were reported in the Tribune. 9th Ward. Alderman Hansen reported the next lakefront meetings on December 5-6 will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Civic Center, Parasol Room. She attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Fountain Square and found it a wonderful event for families. 1st Ward. Alderman Wollin confirmed that the Downtown Visioning meeting would be on December 12. She announced starting tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, the Fire Department would conduct fire training at the Kendall site until December 13, and then demolition will begin. The City plans to do fire training at the Mather site. 2nd Ward. Alderman Jean-Baptiste expressed condolences to George Dotson, long-term Recreation Division employee, on the passing of his mother. He termed the Youth Engagement Report good with a good plan of action. He thought there would be a presentation of the report at Council and wanted to see it on the Council agenda. He did not attend the lakefront planning meeting and commented that this resource belongs to all of them. They need as 8 November 27, 2006 much input as possible. He urged people to attend the December 4 meeting about what police are doing for the community’s benefit. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 9:24 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.