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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.26.20 ​REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 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 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Wilson Second:​ Ald. Braithwaite Mayor’s Public Announcements Mayor Hagerty Announcements: ●COVID-19 Update ●Tribute to Heckey Powell Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Erika Storlie : ●Recognition of Former City Manager Joel Asprooth ●Non-Congregate Housing Update ●Evanston 2020 Summer Updates by Director Lawrence Hemingway Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk Communications: ●Congratulated BGA Lawyer Matt Topic for his FOIA victory in the IL General Assembly ●Evanston Clerk’s Office to host an event regarding Municipal Election on May 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. ●Election Update Watch Public Comment Rachel Rosenr Voiced her support for the full funding of the Elm Trees in Evanston. Watch Billy Lynch Acknowledged the hard work being done by city staff under the leadership of Interim City Manager Storlie. Talked about the hard work firefighters at Local 742 are doing to protect residentes during the COVID-19 epidemic. Watch Virginia Mann Voiced her support for the conservation of Elm Trees in Evanston. Watch Ray Friedman Thanked everyone for keeping residents informed about things happening in Evanston. Shared his concerns over the relocation of City Hall and provided alternative options as a solution. Watch Leslie Shad Voiced her support for the full funding for the conservation of Elm Trees in Evanston. Watch Tina Paden Talked about the illegal practice of “steering” as it relates to housing. Watch Rodney Greene Asked City Council to not approve the resolution that authorizes restaurants to reopen beginning on May 29, 2020. Said the public health will be at risk because there are still various unknown variables of COVID-19. Watch David Lipschutz Voiced his support to reopen restaurants in Evanston. Asked the City Council to give special consideration to restaurants that have a sidewalk cafe license and a proven track record of acting responsibly. Watch Mike Vasilko Shared his concerns over residents not wearing their facemasks when in public. He also shared his concern over the COVID-19 deaths happening in senior health care facilities in Evanston. Asked for clarification over the $5,000 spending at the Howard Street Theater and credit card spending. Watch Joshua Bowes-Carlson On behalf of the South-East Evanston Association, he shared the group's concerns about the budget cuts towards the Dutch Elm Tree Program. Watch Pat Fowler Asked City Council to extend the delivery commission caps for third party service providers to align with the State of Illinois Reopening Guidelines. He also encouraged the City Council to allow restaurants to operate outdoor dining. Watch Special Order of Business SP1. ​2020 Budget Update Staff recommends that City Council review the update to the 2020 budget. For Discussion Direction provided to Staff Motion:​ Ald. Wilson Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP2. ​Civic Center Planning Discussion At the City Council meeting on May 11, 2020, City Council directed staff to provide information related to the potential of relocating a temporary Civic Center in downtown Evanston and what the process would be for selling the existing 2100 Ridge Avenue property. Staff is providing this information for discussion and requests direction from City Council on how to proceed. For Discussion Direction provided to Staff Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Second:​ Ald. Fleming Watch SP3. ​City Manager Executive Recruitment Update City Council accepted and placed on file the status report regarding the City Manager executive search. Reference made for item to be placed on June 8 agenda for Introduction. For Action: Accept and Place on File Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Suffredin Second:​ Ald. Braithwaite Motion:​ Ald. Wilson Second:​ Ald. Wynne Watch SP4. ​Resolution to Re-Open Illinois Restaurants on May 29, 2020 Staff recommends City Council consideration of a resolution to reopen Illinois restaurants on May 29, 2020. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Wynne Second:​ Ald. Braithwaite Watch Consent Agenda O1. ​Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 11, 2020 City Council approved the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of May 11, 2020. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch A1. ​Approval of the City of Evanston Payroll, Bills and Credit Card Activity City Council approved the City of Evanston Payroll for the period of April 27, 2020, through May 10, 2020, in the amount of $2,761,267.47, Bills List for May 27, 2020, in the amount of $3,457,497.66 and credit card purchases period ending March 26, 2020, in the amount of $195,656.69. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A2. ​Approval of BMO Harris Amazon Credit Card Activity City Council approved the City of Evanston’s BMO Harris Amazon Credit Card Activity for the period ending March 26, 2020, in the amount of $21,578.30. For Action Passed 8-1-0​ Ald. Suffredin abstained Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch A3. ​Approval of Authorization to Execute a Payment of $87,696 to Evanston Township High School for Providing Food Services to Assist Those Affected by School Closures Due to COVID-19 City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a payment of $87,696 to Evanston Township High School (ETHS), (1600 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201) for providing food services to assist those affected by school closures due to COVID-19. Funding for this program is from the Recreation Outreach Business Unit (Account 100.30.3050.65025) which has an allocation of $131,500 budgeted and $131,500 available. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A4. ​Approval of Contract Award with J.A. Johnson Paving Company for the 2020 MFT Street Resurfacing Project (Bid 20-26) City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with J.A. Johnson Paving Company (1025 E. Addison Court, Arlington Heights, IL 60005) for the 2020 MFT Street Resurfacing Project in the amount of $1,297,700. Funding will be provided from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund in the amount of $100,000 (Account 200.40.5100.65515 – 420007), and the Rebuild Illinois Grant Funds in the amount of $1,200,000 (200.40.5105.65515 - 420007). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A5. ​Approval of Contract Award with McGill Construction Co. LLC for the 2020 Parking Lot Improvements Project (Bid 20-07) City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with McGill Construction Co. LLC. (21227 S. 80th Avenue, Frankfort IL 60423) for the 2020 Parking Lot Improvements Project (Bid No. 20-07) in the amount of $282,249.95. Funding is provided from the GO Bond Fund (Account 415.40.4120.65515 – 620013), which has an approved FY 2020 budget of $425,000.00 and a YTD balance of $425,000.00. For Action Passed 5-4 ​Alds. Suffredin, Fleming, Fiske and Braithwaite Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Wilson Watch A6. ​Approval of a Sole Source Purchase of Arbotect Fungicide from Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement for the sole source purchase of 60 gallons of Arbotect fungicide from Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements (11571 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343) for a total purchase amount of $25,273.20. Funding for this purchase is from the General Fund account 100.40.4320.62496, which has a 2020 budget of $38,000, and a YTD balance of $38,000. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion: ​Ald. Fleming Second: ​Ald. Rue Simmons Watch A7. ​Approval of Funding for the Demolition of a Vacant, Structurally Unsafe Building at 2012 Maple Avenue Staff recommends City Council approval of funding for the demolition of a vacant, structurally unsafe residential structure located at 2012 Maple Avenue. The cost for the demolition will be is $40,300 which includes disconnection of the water and sewer services, demolition of structure, removal and backfill of the foundation and regrading of the site. The cost of the demolition will be paid for by grants provided by the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The funding source is the IL Vacant Expense Account, 100.24.2435.62469. Motion to hold the agenda item until the next City Council meeting For Action Item held until next City Council meeting Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Second:​ Ald. Wilson Watch A8. ​Adoption of Resolutions 43-R-20 & 45-R-20, Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Illinois Department of Transportation Resolutions for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code for Improvements to Various Evanston Streets. City Council adopted Resolutions 43-R-20 & 45-R20 authorizing the Mayor to sign an Illinois Department of Transportation Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code for Improvements to various Evanston streets using both MFT funds and Rebuild Illinois grant funds. Funding will be provided from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund in the amount of $100,000 (Account 200.40.5100.65515 – 420007) and the Rebuild Illinois Grant Funds in the amount of $1,200,000 (Account 200.40.5105.65515 - 420007). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A9. ​Resolution 44-R-20, authorizing the Mayor to sign a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways in order to transfer funds Previously Allocated in the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to the General Fund for General Maintenance of Streets City Council adopted Resolution 44-R-20 which will authorize the Mayor to execute the required Illinois Department of Transportation resolution and authorize the City Manager to transfer $1,044,890 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds to the General Fund for the general maintenance of streets by City forces. Funding will be provided from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund (Fund 200). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A10. ​Resolution 46-R-20 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the First Amendment to the Dynegy Master Agreement City Council adopted Resolution 46-R-20, authorizing the City Manager to sign the first amendment to the Dynegy Master Agreement. The extension is for the Municipal Aggregation of Electric Supply For Residential and Small Commercial Retail Customers (RFP 17-33) with Dynegy Energy Services (1500 Eastport Plaza Drive Collinsville, IL 62234). The 10-month extension will extend the contract from August 2020 to June 2021. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A11. ​Ordinance 55-O-20, Amending the Amusement Tax City Council adopted Ordinance 55-O-20 amending the Amusement Tax to include online streaming services and to increase the amusement tax on venues with capacity over 1500 audience members. Amusement Tax revenue is deposited to the City's General Fund. For Introduction Passed 6-3 ​ Alds. Suffredin, Fleming and Braithwaite voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Wilson Watch A12. ​Ordinance 50-O-20, Amending City Code Section 10-11-7, Schedule VII(A), “Passenger Loading Zones, Public Carrier Stops and Stands,” to Add a Loading Zone at 1723 Simpson Street City Council approved Ordinance 50-O-20, amending parking near the entrance of 1723 Simpson Street (location of Meals on Wheels) to allow for loading zone spaces. This item was not approved by the Transportation & Parking Committee as there have been no meetings due to COVID-19; however, Alderman Rue Simmons is asking that this item be presented for approval as Meals on Wheels will be operating shortly. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda A13. ​Ordinance 51-O-20, Authorizing the Sale of Aging Surplus Fleet Vehicles and Equipment Owned by the City of Evanston City Council adopted Ordinance 51-O-20, directing the City Manager to offer the sale of vehicles and equipment owned by the City through public auction with GovDeals, an online auction system utilized by government agencies. These vehicles have been determined to be surplus as a result of new vehicle replacements being placed into service or vehicles that had to be taken out of service for safety reasons with the intention of eventual replacement. The equipment from the old Robert Crown Center and janitorial supplies from the Service Center were found to be obsolete or the City no longer utilizes those systems. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Call of the Wards Ward 1: Thanked J.A. Johnson for their amazing resurfacing project done near Sherman Ave. Watch Ward 2: Shared his condolences to the family of Hecky Powell and everyone who has lost someone to COVID-19. Congratulations to the Class of 2020. Watch Ward 3: Shared her congratulations to the Class of 2020. Also expressed her deep condolences to the family of Hecky Powell. Watch Ward 4: Shared his remembrance of Hecky Powell, a beloved Evanston resident and leader. Watch Ward 5: Looking forward to the celebration honoring the life of Hecky Powell. There will be a 5th Ward virtual meeting on May 27 starting at 7:00 p.m. Thanks to everyone who attended the reparations meeting. Watch Ward 6: No Report Watch Ward 7: No Report Watch Ward 8: Thanked Chief Cook and the Traffic Bureau for the way they handled the procession for Hecky Powell. Watch Ward 9: Food pantry at James Park on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shared her condolences to anyone in Evanston who’s lost someone to COVID-19. Watch Adjournment Mayor Hagerty called a voice vote to adjourn the City Council meeting, and by unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned.