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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.10.21 80th City CouncilREGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, May 10th, 2021 Present: Alderman Fiske Alderman Revelle Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Rainey Alderman Wynne Alderman Fleming Alderman Wilson Alderman Suffredin Alderman Rue Simmons (9) Absent: Presiding: Mayor Stephen Hagerty Devon Reid City Clerk Motion to suspend the rules and allow the meeting to be held virtually Passed 8-0 Ald. Fleming absent for vote Motion:Ald. Wilson Second:Ald. Rainey Mayor ’s Public Announcements Mayor Hagerty Announcements: ●. Presentation of Keys to the City ●Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation Watch City Manager ’s Public Announcements City Manager Announcements: ●Promotion of William Muno to Deputy Chief of Operations for Evanston Fire Department Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk had no announcements.Watch Public Comment Carl Klein Believes the Rules Committee should codify rules to allow an outgoing City Council to vote on matters only relating to payroll and bills. He agrees with the remarks made by Councilmember Fleming about having a set inauguration date for the transition of power between elected officials. Watch Ben Klitzkie Voiced his concern about the legality of the outgoing City Council to vote on the agenda items presented at this meeting.He asked the City Council to vote against 19-O-21, amending the City of Evanston’s Leaf Blower Policy. This amendment would have consequences to landscaping businesses and restrict the hours of usage. He stated this would cause his business to service fewer Watch accounts and lose on revenue. As a result, this would cause him to lay off employees. Mike Vasilko Questioned the legitimacy of the current City Council’s ability to conduct business after new Council Members were certified by the election results. Inquired why there was an agenda if there were no Committee meetings. He objected to the approval of Ordinance 47-O-21 due to the cost it will have on taxpayers.Acknowledged the work of Ald. Fleming with her constituents. Watch Jeremy Vannatta He doesn't believe the outgoing City Council should be taking any action on important items on the consent agenda. He emailed members of the City Council weeks ago about the water rates and received two responses. He also emailed the City Manager about the lawsuit involving Chief Cook and would like to know what’s steps will be taken to ensure similar matters don’t happen with city staff and their use of social media Watch Tina Paden Believes APW agenda items should not be on the agenda since the meeting was canceled. Shared her remarks about the reparations program and its implications on qualifying residents. Watch Priscilla Giles She stated that the TIF District being considered at tonight’s agenda does not represent the residents that live in the area. Claims there is no plan to sustain the residents or the greenery during the pandemic. Watch Renee Paden Stated that eminent domain is often used to remove people of the city they live in. Said this is taking place in the 5th Ward and this will cause the population of the African-American community to dwindle. Doesn’t want the eminent domain to be used in TIF Districts. Watch Jamie Robin Collier Asked City Council to not take any action on the TIF District because it could challenge the legality of this City Council meeting, the effect of increased property value will have on tax collection.Made a suggestion to have a study conducted to determine how the Civic Center can be made carbon neutral. Watch Alex Elliott Voiced her support for Ordinance 19-O-21, amending the City of Evanston’s Leaf Blower Policy. She has asked her landscaping service to not use leaf blowers and claims she pays the same service fee. She said leaf blowers are hazardous to the environment and cause air and noise pollution. Watch Trisha Connolly Read her remarks on our local government, the City Council and the order of business. Watch Ray Friedman Questioned the legality of the meeting and proposed to postpone any action until the new City Council is sworn in. Thanked the outgoing Watch City Council for their years of service and wished them the best. Special Order of Business SP1.Resolution 55-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty City Council adopted Resolution 55-R-21, commending Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty’s years of service as Mayor of the City of Evanston during the years 2017 through 2021. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP2.Resolution 56-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Clerk Devon Reid City Council adopted Resolution 56-R-21, commending Clerk Devon Reid’s years of service as Clerk of the Evanston City Council during the years 2017 through 2021. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP3.Resolution 52-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Alderman Judy Fiske City Council adopted Resolution 52-R-21, commending Alderman Judy Fiske’s years of service as a member of the Evanston City Council. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP4.Resolution 51-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Alderman Donald Wilson City Council adopted Resolution 51-R-21, commending Alderman Donald Wilson’s years of service as a member of the Evanston City Council. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP5.Resolution 54-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Alderman Robin Rue Simmons City Council adopted Resolution 54-R-21, commending Alderman Robin Rue Simmons' years of service as a member of the Evanston City Council. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP6.Resolution 53-R-21, Upon the Occasion of the Retirement of Alderman Ann Rainey City Council adopted Resolution 53-R-21, commending Alderman Ann Rainey’s years of service as a member of the Evanston City Council. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda SP7. Ordinance 47-O-21, Lease of City-Owned Property Located at 2603 Sheridan Rd. to Artists Book House City Council approved Ordinance 47-O-21, authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement for City-owned real property (known as the Harley Clarke Mansion) located at 2603 Sheridan Road with Artist Book House (“ABH”) for the operation of a venue for teaching creative writing, printing books, production of paper, and bookbinding,as well as space for bookstore, library, art gallery, cafe, lecture hall,and classrooms. The lease term is for 40 years beginning May 10, 2021, and ending May 10, 2061. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Consent Agenda CM1.Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of April 26, 2021 City Council approved the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of April 26, 2021 For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A1.Approval of the City of Evanston Payroll and Bills List City Council approved the City of Evanston Payroll for the period of April 12, 2021, through April 25, 2021, in the amount of $2,750,539.78 Bills List for May 11, 2021, in the amount of $2,690,423.59. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A2.Approval of up to $200,000 of CDBG-CV Funding for Summer Youth Activities to Reduce Violence and Address Social and Emotional Issues Resulting from the Pandemic City Council approved up to $200,000 in CDBG-CV funding to provide summer activities for youth suffering emotional and psychological stress from social isolation and other factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to $115,000 will be used for program supplies and up to $85,000 for staffing. This initiative “My City, Your City, Our City” will be implemented throughout the summer via extended hours at four community centers; community building/violence prevention events scheduled each Saturday, and community building/violence prevention events on the first Friday of each month starting in June and culminating in a Back to School event to usher youth safely back to school for the fall. Funding of up to $200,000 is from the City’s CDBG-CV CARES Act grant, 215.21.5226.63045.The City received $1,586,370 in CARES Act CDBG-CV funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. $626,496 is budgeted for Public Services, of which $230,000 has been allocated previously,leaving a balance of $196,496 to be allocated to specific activities. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A3.Approval of Storefront Modernization Grant in the Amount of $1,710 for Enzo the Baker, 517 Dempster Street City Council approved financial assistance to Enzo the Baker totaling $1,710. Funds will come from the Business District Improvement Account # 100.15.5300.65522. $150,000 has been allocated to this account. No funding has been allocated from this account to date,as this is the first request since the fund was reinstituted by the City Council in April. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A4.Approval of Entrepreneurship Emergency Assistance Funding Request City Council approved financial assistance to one eligible applicant of the Entrepreneurship Support Program totaling $6,000.For FY 2021, the Entrepreneurship Support Account (100.15.5300.62664)was allotted $50,000. To date, $43,990.09 has been awarded. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A5.Approval of Change Order No. 1 to the Contract with J.A. Johnson Paving Company for the 2021 Street Patching Program City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract with J. A. Johnson Paving Company (1025 E. Addison Ct., Arlington Heights, Illinois) for the 2021 Street Patching Program in the amount of $100,000. Funding will be from the Capital Improvement Fund 2021 General Obligation Bonds (Account 415.40.4121.65515 – 421015). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A6.Resolution 49-R-21, Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute A Twenty-Five Year Alley Easement At 1708-1712 Sherman Avenue with The Varsity, LLC. City Council adopted Resolution 49-R-21, Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute A Twenty-Five Year Alley Easement At 1708-1712 Sherman Avenue with The Varsity LLC, an Illinois Limited Liability Company. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A7.Ordinance 52-O-21, Approving Meeting Dates for the Joint Review Board Meeting and Public Hearing for the Proposed Five-Fifths TIF District Redevelopment Plan and Project City Council approved Ordinance 52-O-21 establishing dates for Five-Fifths TIF Public Hearing and Joint Review Board Meeting. Ald. Robin Rue Simmons requests suspension of the rules for Introduction and Action at the May 10, 2021 City Council meeting. For Introduction and Action Passed 9-0 Motion:Ald. Suffredin Second:Ald. Rue Simmons Watch A8.Ordinance 55-O-21, Amending Title 10, Chapter 11, Section 18, Schedule XVIII (P) Residents Only Parking Districts City Council adopted Ordinance 55-O-21, amending Title 10, Chapter 11, Section 18, Schedule XVIII (P) “Residents Only Parking Districts.” This Ordinance will amend parking restrictions that were inadvertently left out of Ordinance 27-O-21 adopted on April 26, 2021. Ordinance 27-O-21 amended parking on the east side of Sheridan Square from Garden Park to Sheridan Road to allow for 3-hour parking from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Ordinance 55-O-21 amends parking on the same portion of the west side of Sheridan Square to allow for R District Parking only. Discussions at the April 12 and 26 City Council meetings, as well as the memorandum that accompanied Ordinance 27-O-21, pertained to amendments to both sides of Sheridan Square. Ordinance 55-O-21 will bring Sheridan Square in line with the plans that were requested and discussed.City Manager requests suspension of the rules for Introduction and Action at the May 10, 2021, City Council meeting. Motion to suspend the rules for Introduction and Action Passed 9-0 For Introduction and Action Passed 9-0 Motion:Ald. Suffredin Second:Ald. Rue Simmons Motion:Ald. Wynne Second:Ald. Revelle Watch A9.Ordinance 49-O-21, Amending Section 1-3-2 of the City Code to Add Definitions of “Alderman” City Council adopted Ordinance 49-O-21, Amending Section 1-3-2 of the City Code to add definitions of the term “Alderman”allowing gender-neutral terms to be used as the titles of elected officials. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A10.Ordinance 42-O-21, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement to Sell Water to the Village of Skokie,Illinois City Council adopted Ordinance 42-O-21, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement to Sell Water to the Village of Skokie, Illinois. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A11.Ordinance 33-O-21 Seeking Authority to Negotiate the Sale of City-Owned Property Located at 2022-26 Central Street to a Single Purpose Real Estate LLC to be Established by Lush Wine & Spirits, LLC City Council adopted ordinance 33-O-21 granting the City Manager authority to negotiate the sale of city-owned property. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda P1.Ordinance 53-O-21, Amending Portions of the City Code to Extend the Expiration Date of Permitted Uses Within the U2 Zoning District City Council adopted for introduction Ordinance 53-O-21,amending the City Code to extend the expiration date of permitted uses within the U2 zoning district from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2022. For Introduction Passed 6-3 Alds. Suffredin, Revelle,and Wynne voted “No” Motion:Ald. Fiske Second:Ald. Braithwaite Watch P2.Ordinance 54-O-21, Amending Title 7, Chapter 8,Section 8 Tree Preservation Staff recommends that City Council consider Ordinance 54-O-21 amending the Tree Preservation Ordinance (7-8-8) to expand protection of trees on private property. There is currently no capacity to implement and administer the revised Tree Preservation Ordinance due to a lack of staff resources in the Public Works Agency (PWA) and Community Development Department. Staff recommends the inclusion of an effective date in 2022 that is also contingent on the addition of new staff resources for the 2022 budget to PWA that will support the implementation of this ordinance. For Introduction Tabled in Committee P3.Ordinance 37-O-21, Granting Major Zoning Variations to Construct a Four-Story Rear Addition and Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Religious Structure in the R6 General Residential District (1101 Church Street) City Council adopted Ord. 37-O-21, granting major zoning relief for the adaptive reuse of an existing structure and four-story addition for a total of 30 dwelling units at 1101 Church St. in the R6 General Residential District. The applicant requests 24 dwelling units (plus 6 IHO bonus units for a total of 30 dwelling units) where 15 dwelling units are allowed, 78.6% building lot coverage where 65% is permitted, a 0’ street side yard setback to match the existing structure where 15’ is required,1.5’ rear yard setback where 25’ is required, 0’ for open parking in the interior side yard where 5’ is required, and 14 parking spaces where 22 parking spaces are required. The applicant has complied with all other zoning requirements and meets the Standards for Major Variations for this district. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda P4.Ordinance 43-O-21, Granting a Map Amendment and Major Variations for 2030 Greenwood Street City Council adopted a Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment to rezone 2030 Greenwood Street from I2 General Industrial to MXE Mixed-Use Employment District. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval of the following Major Variations in order to construct a residential development: 24 total dwelling units (20 regular units + 4 IHO bonus units) where 18 dwelling units (22 with IHO bonus units)are permitted, and building height of 4 stories at 38’ where 3 stories at 41’are permitted. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda P5.Ordinance 44-O-21, Amending Title 6 of the City Code Concerning Wireless Facilities City Council adopted Ordinance 44-O-21, granting approval of a City initiated Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance,Title 6 of the City Code, to establish a definition and regulations for wireless facilities. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda P6.Ordinance 48-O-21 Amending Title 6, the Zoning Ordinance, to eliminate the Substitution of Special Use process,modify listed Special Uses in non-residential and non-university districts, establish an Administrative Review Use process and Administrative Review Uses in non-residential and non-university districts. City Council adopted Ordinance 48-O-21, amending Title 6, the Zoning Ordinance, to eliminate the Substitution of Special Use process, modify listed Special Uses in non-residential and non-university districts, establish an Administrative Review Use process, and Administrative Review Uses in non-residential and non-university districts. The proposal is staff-initiated at the request of the City Manager and was previously discussed as a Special Order of Business by the City Council on March 22, 2021. Ordinance 48-O-21 has been updated to include a review of the Administrative Review Use ordinance regulations by the City Council in two years from the effective date, after May 10, 2023,as requested at the Planning & Development Committee meeting of April 26, 2021. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda P7.Ordinance 19-O-21, Amending the City of Evanston’s Leaf Blower Policy Staff recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance 19-O-21, Amending the City of Evanston’s Leaf Blower Policy. This ordinance amends the times and days when leaf blowers are permitted to be used in Evanston, modifies the penalty for violating the new rules,and eliminates loopholes for non-gasoline-powered equipment use. Motion to table to the June 14, 2021, City Council meeting Passed 9-0 For Action Tabled until the June 14, 2021, City Council meeting Motion:Ald. Fiske Second:Ald. Rainey Motion:Ald. Revelle Second:Ald. Wynne Watch R1.20-O-21, Amending Title 1, Chapter 10 of the Evanston City Code, “City of Evanston Code of Ethics and Board of Ethics” Staff recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance 20-O-12, Amending Title 1, Chapter 10 of the Evanston City Code, “City of Evanston Code of Ethics and Board of Ethics”. Motion:Ald. Suffredin Second:Ald. Rainey Watch Motion to table to the May 24, 2021 City Council meeting Motion to overrule the hold on the agenda item Failed 4-5.WIlson, Rainey, Fiske, Braithwaite and Wynne voted “Yes” For Action Tabled to the May 24, 2021 City Council meeting Motion:Ald. Fleming Second:Ald. Revelle Motion:Ald. Rainey Second:Ald. Wilson Call of the Wards Ward 1:No Report Watch Ward 2:Ward meeting on May 13 at 7 p.m.Watch Ward 3:No Report Watch Ward 4:No Report Watch Ward 5:Reminded residents to check their email for her final newsletter.Watch Ward 6:No Report Watch Ward 7:No Report Watch Ward 8:No Report Watch Ward 9:No Report Watch Adjournment Mayor Hagerty called to recess until 7:30 p.m, and by a 6-3 vote City Council recessed until 7:30 p.m.