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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.19.20 Special ​REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, October 19th, 2020 Devon Reid City Clerk Present: Absent: Presiding: Mayor Stephen Hagerty Alderman Fiske Alderman Revelle Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Rainey Alderman Wynne Alderman Fleming Alderman Wilson Alderman Suffredin Alderman Rue Simmons (9) Mayor’s Public Announcements City Manager’s Public Announcements City Clerk’s Communications Public Comment Motion to suspend the rules and allow the meeting to be held virtually Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Wilson Second:​ Ald. Wynne Mayor Hagerty Announcements: ●Early Voting ●COVID-19 Update ●Recognition of Commonwealth Running and Graduate Hotel Watch City Manager Erika Storlie had no announcements Watch City Clerk provided a report with results on the first day of early voting in Evanston. Watch Michael Davis Voiced his support for Erika Storlie being appointed as the next City Manager. He spoke about her experience and value to the community. Watch Maria Tolpin Expressed her concerns over the lack of transparency in the City Manager search. She hopes City Council will share their reasoning behind hiring Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. Watch Betty Ester Requested a response from the City Manager regarding an incident involving two police officers who she believes made inappropriate remarks on their personal social media accounts. Watch Lori Keenan Shared her concern over the lack of transparency in the City Manager search.Believes there should have been more citizen participation. She also stated Dr. Peoples was the more qualified candidate for the role and doesn’t believe Ms. Storlie has the ability to earn the trust of the residents in the community. Watch Michele Hays Opposed the appointment of Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. Watch Peter Giangreco Supports the appointment of Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. He has worked closely with Ms. Storlie and believes she has the skills needed to become a City Manager. He continues to say that Erika is well invested in the role and the community. Watch Jane Grover Congratulated Erika Storlie for being appointed the next City Manager. She continued to thank her and her family for her investment in the community. She proceeded to thank the City Council and staff for their confidence in Erika to succeed as the next City Manager. Watch Darlene Cannon Asked the City Council to reject the appointment of Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. She believes public input was not considered in the public process in the City Manager search. Stated there needs to be a City Manager who understands how policies and practices affect minority communities. Watch Delores Holmes Shared her position on the process of the City Manager search. Watch Nicole Kustok Voiced her support for Erika Storlie being appointed as the next City Manager. Shared her experience working with Ms. Storlie and believes Ms. Storlie is qualified to perform the job. Watch Elder Clifford Wilson Shared a prayer calling for a peaceful City Council meeting. Watch Tina Foster Spoke on behalf of Reclaim Evanston who opposes the appointment of Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. Watch Carolyn Laughlin Praised Ald. Suffredins leadership throughout the City Manager search. Said he remained professional towards Erika Storlie while at the same time advocating on behalf of the residents looking for a transparent process. Watch Ray Friedman Shared his concerns about the selection process for the next City Manager. Said there was a lack of transparency and discussion between City Council and residents. Said there has not been enough input given by residents for the City Manager search. Watch Rina Campbell She said all decisions moving forward should be made through an Watch equity lens. Based on her observation, she believes the City Council is more comfortable selecting a candidate that fits the status quo. Sharon Kushiner Requested City Council members explain why they believe Erika Storlie is the candidate best suited for the role of City Manager. Expressed her opposition to the appointment of Erika Storlie as the next City Manager. Expects the city budget to reflect a more equitable Evanston. Watch Sean Peck-Collier Shared his remarks of past events in which he believes the City Council was not transparent. Asked the City Council to reject the contract with Erika Storlie. Watch Rachel Rosner Believes the City Manager search process was rushed and not transparent. She sent a letter to the City Council that speaks about a city budget as a moral document. Watch Allie Harned Shared her remarks and observations related to the City Manager search. Watch Elliot Zashin Claims the City Council abandoned their commitment of having a transparent process in the search for the next City Manager. Would like City Council to explain their decision in determining Erika Storlie the most qualified candidate for the role. Suggested postponing the contract with Erika Storlie or allowing the next City Council to make the decision. Watch Mike Vasilko Shared his concerns over the lack of transparency given during the City Manager search. Stated there were two candidates of color who perhaps were more qualified for the role than Erika Storlie. Watch Megan Davies Inquired about how a decision could have been made so hastily for the next City Manager. She believes there were two female candidates that were more qualified than the selected candidate for City Manager. Watch Special Order of Business Call of the Wards SP1. ​2021 Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Program Staff requests Council discussion of the 2021 Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Program. For Discussion Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Second:​ Ald. Rainey Watch SP2. ​Resolution 88-R-20, Appointing Erika Storlie As City Manager And Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into A City Manager Employment Contract With Erika Storlie City Council approved Resolution 88-R20 to appoint Erika Storlie City Manager and enter into an employment agreement. For Action Approved 7-0​ Ald. Rue Simmons, Suffredin and Fleming voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Rainey Second:​ Ald. Wynne Watch Ward 1: Congratulations to Gail Henry on the birth of her daughter. Thanked everyone who helped during the protest on Saturday. Requested a police report from the City Manager of the numerous police cars she saw tonight on the streets of her Ward. Watch Ward 2: Thanked Dolores Holmes and Elder Wilson for their public comments tonight. Requested a transcript from Clerk Reid of the comments made by Mike Vasilko and for staff to provide him video of Mr. Vasilkos public comment. He would like to address those remarks at a later time once he’s received the requested information. Watch Ward 3: Ward meeting on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m. to discuss the budget and activities happening around the ward. Thanked everyone who attended the women’s rally over the weekend, in particular Becky Samuels for organizing the event. Watch Ward 4: Congratulations to Erika Storlie for being appointed City Manager. Thanked the input and feedback from the residents who participated in the search process. Made a reference to the Law Department to review the City Code in regards to the word “servant” and similar words and consider any changes they may deem appropriate. There will be a joint 1st and 4th Ward meeting on October 27 at 7 p.m. to discuss the budget. Watch Adjournment Mayor Hagerty called for a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting. Ald. Braithwaite made the motion; Ald. Rue Simmons seconded. A roll call vote was taken and by unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned. Ward 5: Thanked Dolores Holmes and Elder Wilson for their public comments tonight. Made a referral to staff for a report for Ald. Suffredin and Ald. Fleming's correspondence to the media and their network regarding the process and doing business in the city. Would like this report to be brought back with a recommendation. Watch Ward 6: Made a referral to staff for a report in the next steps for the recycling center. Requested a response from the City Manager for her plan on seeking reimbursement from the Northwestern Police protest. He also requested a budget memo for daily cost by department. Watch Ward 7: Looking for another Alderman interested in hosting a joint ward meeting to discuss the budget. Watch Ward 8: Requested a budget memo to be produced for a listing of real estate income tax revenue starting from January 1, 2020. Invited Aldermen with TIF Districts to join her in a meeting to find legal expenditures for struggling business in TIF Districts. Watch Ward 9: Alternative Emergency Response Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at 3:30 p.m. She is still looking for input by her residents for the budget. Offered her condolences to the family of George Walters. In the near future she will like to have a discussion at the Human Services Committee focused on support for the youth. Watch