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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.20.21 SpecialSPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, September 20th, 2021 5:30 P.M. Present: Councilmember Kelly Councilmember Suffredin (virtually) Councilmember Braithwaite Councilmember Revelle Councilmember Wynne Councilmember Fleming Councilmember Nieuwsma (8) Councilmember Burns Absent: Councilmember Reid (1) Presiding: Mayor Daniel Biss Stephanie Mendoza City Clerk Mayor ’s Public Announcements Mayor Biss Announcements and 1 Proclamation: ●Rescue at the Lakefront Watch City Manager ’s Public Announcements Acting City Manager Kelly Gandurski invited Deputy City Manager Kimberly Richardson to give a presentation on the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program Eligibility Application. Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk Mendoza acknowledged the receipt of public comment Watch Public Comment Chris Oakley Watch Michael Wolf Watch Sue Loellbach Watch Betsy Wilson Watch Marcus Martinez Watch Maurice Classen Watch Genevieve Pappas Watch Mamadou Diakhate Watch Susan Cappello Watch Anne Sheahan Watch Thomas Doran Watch Barbara Burke Watch Elliot Zashin Watch Trisha Connolly Watch Doreen Price Watch Priscilla Giles Watch Special Order of Business SP1.Resolution 89-R-21, Authorizing the Appointment of An Interim City Manager for the City of Evanston City Council adopted Resolution 89-R-21, authorizing the appointment of an Interim City Manager for the City of Evanston. Motion to amend the termination clause to reflect the language listed in the City Code Failed 2-6 Yes vote:Kelly, Fleming. No vote:Braithwaite, Wynne, Nieuwsma, Burns, Suffredin,Revelle. For Action Passed 7-1 Yes vote:Braithwaite, Wynne, Nieuwsma, Burns, Suffredin,Revelle, Fleming. No vote:Kelly Motion: Councilmember Fleming Second: Councilmember Wynne Motion: Councilmember Kelly Second: Councilmember Fleming Watch SP2.Continued Discussion of ARPA Funds and Potential for Allocation Staff recommends members of City Council continue to discuss the most-recently proposed allocations of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds, current recommendations for allocations and provide direction on processes and continued allocation of funding. American Rescue Plan Act, 170.99.1700.55251 For Discussion Presentation made by staff Motion: Councilmember Braithwaite Second: Councilmember Fleming Watch SP3.Affordable Housing Activities and Progress in 2021 This memorandum updates the City Council on the projects and activities that have been undertaken since the Affordable Housing Update on January 19, 2021, to address the City Council goal of expanding affordable housing options in Evanston, as well as actions taken to address needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff requests that it be accepted and placed on file. For Action: Accept and Place on File Passed 7-0 to Accept and Place on File Yes vote:Kelly, Braithwaite, Wynne, Niuewsma, Burns,Revelle, Fleming No vote:None Absent:Suffredin Motion: Councilmember Nieuwsma Second: Councilmember Revelle Watch SP4.2021 Emergency Solutions Grant Recommendation City Council approved the 2021 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) allocations totaling $156,606: $144,861 to two social services agencies (Connections for the Homeless and the YWCA Evanston/North Shore) that provide housing and services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and $11,745 to the City of Evanston for grant administration. Funding source is the City’s 2021 Emergency Solutions Grant entitlement allocation in the amount of $156,606 from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; account 250.21.2128.56001 with individual account numbers for external agencies funded and City administrative costs. For Action Passed 7-0 Yes vote:Kelly, Braithwaite, Wynne, Niuewsma, Burns,Revelle, Fleming No vote:None Absent:Suffredin Motion: Councilmember Fleming Second: Councilmember Wynne Watch SP5.McGaw YMCA Men's Residence Renovation Plan Presentation The McGaw YMCA will present its plan to renovate the Men’s Residence, a single room occupancy facility, on floors 3 - 5 of the McGaw YMCA building at 1000 Grove Street in Evanston. Discussion by, and feedback from Councilmembers is requested on this plan. For Discussion Presentation made by staff Motion: Councilmember Nieuwsma Second: Councilmember Wynne Watch SP6.Metropolitan Tenants Organization/Lawyers Committee for Better Housing Landlord Tenant Assistance Program This memorandum provides information on the Landlord Tenant Services program for which the City contracts with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization and Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, and how inquiries from Evanston residents and landlords are handled via 311 in response to a referral from Councilmember Burns. For Discussion Presentation made by staff Motion: Councilmember Braithwaite Second: Councilmember Wynne Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1:There will also be a Ward meeting at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center on October 5 beginning at 7 p.m. Members of the Housing Authority of Cook County will speak to residents about a proposed plant at the Walchirk Apartments. There will be an informal conversation taking place on Tuesday, September 22, beginning at 4 p.m. at The Graduate. Watch Ward 2:Sent his condolences to the family of Patricia Efiom. Thanked staff and Canal Park neighbors for attending the Harbert Payne presentation. Shared information for both the visitation and memorial service of Pastor Zollie Webb. He addressed some of the comments made by some residents. Watch Ward 3:No Report Watch Ward 4:Expressed his condolences to the family of Hussin Abdul-Samad. Congratulated the first responders in a successful rescue at Clark Street Beach. There will be two meetings to address the issue of aggressive panhandling and antisocial behavior. The first meeting will be at Robert Crown on September 30 beginning at 7 p.m. The second meeting will take place at St. Marks Church on October 3 beginning at 4 p.m. There will also be a Ward meeting at the Robert Crown Center on October 5 beginning at 7 p.m. Office hours are on October 9 from 10 a.m - 12 p.m. at Reprise Coffee Roasters. Work on Main Street is almost complete and street cleaning is expected to resume soon. Watch Ward 5:Shared information on his proposed Here to Stay Committee.Watch Ward 6:No Ward Watch Ward 7:Virtual Ward meeting on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. The meeting will provide an update to residents about the progress being made at the Harley Clarke Mansion, the coach house, and the tree preservation ordinance. Watch Ward 8:No Report Watch Ward 9:Virtual Ward meeting on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 7 p.m. The Director for the Parks & Recreation Department will be there to discuss the proposal of implementing lights at James Park. In two weeks there will be a meeting to discuss the Oakton Street study. She addresses the comments made during public comment about the City issuing a public apology. Watch Adjournment Councilmember Nieuwsma led City Council into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(a) to discuss an agenda item regarding litigation and the establishment of reserves for settlement. The agenda items are permitted subject to be considered in Executive Session and are an enumerated exception under the Open Meetings Act with the exception being 5 ILCS 120/2(a)(c)(11)(12). Councilmember Wynne seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and by a vote of 8-0 City Council recessed into Executive Session at 8:54 p.m.