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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.15.19 ​REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, July 15th, 2019 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 Mayor’s Public Announcements Mayor Hagerty Announcements: Thanked the owners of Happy Husky bakery for their years of service in the community. Said the bakery would be closing at the end of the month. Lastly, Mayor Hagerty read a statement related to Resolution 78-R-19. Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz had no announcements. Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk had 1 Communication: The Clerk’s Office will be hosting an event on July 17 starting at 6 p.m in the Parasol Room. The event will focus on an ethics ordinance, lobbying ordinance and whistleblower ordinance. Watch Public Comment Michael Vasilko Claimed City Council has been harassing Clerk Reid. Wants Clerk Reid to be named the sole FOIA Officer for the city. Watch Conor Malloy Stated his objections to the time, money and geography with the proposal with Beacon Academy regarding Robert Crown. Watch Alyce Barry Voiced her opposition to Resolution 78-R-19 Watch Harris Miller Asked City Council to vote against Resolution 78-R-19. Claims there are double standards for elected officials. Suggested that Resolution 72-R-19 be tabled and language be included to address disabilities which are not physical. Watch Shawn Jones Stated he understands the public's support for Clerk Reid but asked they consider the city staff who are being hurt by the harassment of Clerk Reid. Refuted the allegations made by Clerk Reid who said he was asked to resign during a private meeting with two Alderman. Said he was present at the meeting and nobody asked Clerk Reid to resign. Watch Misty Witenberg Believes city staff and City Council members should be held accountable for violating laws or City Council rules. Said there isn’t a due process in the censuring of the City Clerk. Watch Janet Kirby Stated there should be due process for the censuring of Clerk Reid. Suggested hiring an independent firm to investigate the allegations. Watch Daniel Joseph Stated it was difficult for him to register for public comment on the city website. Asked Clerk Reid to be consistent for public comment registration. Watch Fuschia Winston Expressed her frustrations with City Council members. Watch Lori Keenan Spoke about the proposed censuring of Clerk Reid. Said a few City Council members were in violation of City Council rules and none of them were censured. Watch Jackson Paller Said he is troubled by the alleged treatment towards Clerk Reid. Asked why other City Council members haven’t been censured for unprofessional behavior. Wants a public discussion for the censuring of Clerk Reid. Watch Mary Rosinski Shared her concerns over the equitable process in the City of Evanston. Claims the allegations against Clerk Reid may not be accurate. Watch Ray Friedman/Betty Ester Talked about decorum in Evanston. Watch James Englemen Opposed citizen comment to be received via electronic communications. Said it would cause meetings to run longer than necessary. Watch Kiera Kelly Shared her remarks on Resolution 78-R-19. Claimed there were double standards for the censuring of Clerk Reid. Referenced other instances where she believed violations by City Council members were met without any repercussions. Watch Yvi Russel Stated there has been no public discussion or evidence presented for the proposed censuring of Clerk Reid. Claims there is a lack of information which is provided by the city and also claims the city is destroying records. Wants an independent third-party to make recommendations on the allegations brought on against Clerk Reid. Watch Bill Keesom Talked about the water rates in Evanston. Claimed the water rates are discriminatory against multi-unit buildings. Suggested making the rates based on the number of residents designated to a water meter. Watch Darlene Cannon Asked City Council to vote against Resolution 78-R-19. Watch Meg Welch Spoke on Resolution 78-R-19 and claims it would politically damage Clerk Reid. She also claimed it’s favoritism and lack of impartiality by the city. Watch Jane McCarthy Asked City Council to vote against Resolution 78-R-19. Watch Madeline Ducre Shared her remarks on Evanston’s Welcoming City Ordinance. Watch Kris Kruger Voiced his support for Clerk Reid. Watch Ally Harned Stated that residents who participate in City Council are looking to be heard on the issues that are important to them. Said she will be disappointed with City Council if they allow the deal with Beacon Academy to go through. Lastly, she voiced her opposition to the censuring of Clerk Reid. Watch Carla Thomas Shared her opinion on the proposed censuring of Clerk Reid. Believes the City Council has taken steps to discredit Clerk Reid. Claims there are double standards being played on City Council. Watch Special Order of Business (SP1) ​Approval of City Council Minutes Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 9, 2019. For Action Passed 7-0 Watch (SP2) ​Inclining Block Water Rate Staff recommends that the City Council consider establishing an inclining block water rate structure that would increase water rates based on water consumption while allowing the establishment of an affordable combined water and sewer rate. For Discussion Watch (SP3) ​Resolution 76-R-19, Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Central Street Bridge Replacement Project and Authorizing Funding to Purchase Property City Council approved Resolution 76-R-19 authorizing the City Manager to sign a Local Public Agency Funding Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the Central Street Bridge Replacement Right-of-Way Purchase for a not-to-exceed cost of $700,000. The Agreement establishes the maximum grant funding at 80% of the right-of-way purchase (up to $560,000), and commits the City of Evanston to fund the remainder. Funding will be from the Capital Improvement Fund 2019 General Obligation Bonds which has a budget of $560,000 for this project (Account No. 415.40.4119.62415 – 416513). The City will ultimately be responsible for only 20% of the cost ($140,000). The remaining 80% of the acquisition cost ($560,000) is funded through the Surface Transportation Program – Bridge Program (STP-BR) federal grant funds. The City will be invoiced its share of the cost by IDOT as the work is completed. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion: Ald. Rue Simmons Watch (SP4) ​Resolution 77-R-19, Amendment to the Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for the Central Street Bridge Phase II Engineering City Council approved Resolution 77-R-19 authorizing the City Manager to Sign an Amendment to the Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Stanley Consultants, Inc. for the Central Street Bridge Phase II Engineering in the amount of $67,200. This will increase the overall contract amount from $519,512 to $586,712 of which 80% is funded by federal funds. Funding will be provided from the Capital Improvement Fund 2019 General Obligation Bonds for the Central Street Bridge Engineering Services, which has a budget of $560,000 for this project (Account No. 415.40.4119.62415 – 416513). The City will ultimately be responsible for only 20% of the cost ($13,440). The remaining 80% of the change order amount ($53,760) is funded through the Surface Transportation Program – Bridge Program (STP-BR) federal grant funds and will be reimbursed to the City upon completion of the work. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion: Ald. Revelle Watch (SP5) ​Ordinance 46-O-19, Amending City Code Section 7-2-6(D), “Sidewalk Cafes,” to Allow Permeant Fixtures, Year-Round Operations, and Alcohol Service at Type 2 Restaurants City Council adopted Ordinance 46-O-19, amending portions of City Code Section 7-2-6(D) Sidewalk Cafes to allow year-round sidewalk cafes; permanent fixture installation for cafes 600 square feet in area and larger; and service of liquor in cafés for Type 2 restaurants with a current liquor license in the principle establishment. For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion: Ald. Suffredin Watch (SP6) ​Resolution 72-R-19, Amending City Council Rules to Address Remote Public Comment Participation City Council adopted Resolution 72-R19, amending City Council Rule 6, “Citizen Participation,” to state that only individuals attending the meeting in person may participate in public comment and no electronic participation will be allowed. Motion to include language to allow individuals with physical disabilities to submit their statements to be read for public comment Passed 9-0 For Action Passed 9-0 Motion: Ald. Rainey Motion: Ald. Fleming Watch (SP7) ​Resolution 73-R-19, Amending City Council Rules by Regulating Signs in the Council Chambers by Members of the Public City Council adopted Resolution 73-R19, amending City Council Rule 6, “Citizen Participation,” to address members of the public signs in the Council Chambers. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion: Ald. Fleming Watch (SP8) ​Resolution 78-R-19, Censuring City of Evanston Clerk Devon Reid for Violating the City of Evanston Healthy Work Environment Policy and the Open Meetings Act and Council Rules Regarding Closed Session Recordings This resolution recommends that the City Council censure City Clerk Devon Reid for his unprofessional communication and harassment of multiple City employees and violation of the Open Meetings Act and Council Rules. Motion to table the agenda item Passed 5-4​ Ald. Fiske, Wynne, Wilson and Revelle voted “No” For Action Agenda Item was tabled Motion: Ald. Rainey Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1: Clarified the Open Meetings Act (OMA) violation which the Attorney General’s Office found her to have broken. Encouraged residents to reach out to their Alderman if they have questions. Said she voted in favor of censure because she believes the infractions were well-founded and is worried about city staff. Watch Ward 2: Thanked residents who stayed the entire meeting and took the time to read the City Council packet. Also thanked residents who call him about issues that affect them instead of posting about it on social media. The 2nd Ward will host an Open House in August and invited all City Council members to attend. Said he attended a reparations meeting over the weekend at the Civic Center and thanked Ald. Rue Simmons and the Equity Commission for their work. Wants there to be a clear process for reprimanding a City Council member before revisiting the issue of censuring. Watch Ward 3: Ward meeting on Thursday, July 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Chiaravalle Montessori. She stated her reasoning for voting against the tabling of Resolution 78-R-19 was because she believes it was necessary in order to protect city staff. She supports city staff to their right to privacy because she understands the harassment they will receive on social media. Watch Ward 4: Said the proposed Ethics Ordinance will address the issue of City Council member behavior and hopes it provides a clear understanding of the process. Appreciates the individuals who stay till the end and listen to the discussions. There will be a Watch Ward meeting on August 6 at 7 p.m. in the Evanston Library community room. There will be a discussion regarding the proposed office building at 601 Davis. Ward 5: Joint 5th & 8th Ward meeting on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Levy Center. There will be a discussion about marijuana laws. There will be a community meeting on Monday, July 29 at the Civic Center to discuss ideas for the lot located at Church and Darrow. Lastly, there will be an Equity and Empowerment Commission meeting on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parasol Room to discuss reparations. Watch Ward 6: Made a referral to the Rules Committee for a discussion on providing City Council packets ahead of the minimum required time. Watch Ward 7: Shared Ald. Wynne’s views about the censure item. Recognized Steve Farmer for all his hard work for the Central Street Business Association. Watch Ward 8: Ward meeting on July 30 to discuss extending Howard Ridge TIF. There will also be a presentation by Rep. Cassidy on the work done by her administration. Watch Ward 9: Ward meeting on July 17 at the Levy Center starting at 7 p.m. The Evanston Public Library will be holding a meeting on July 17 at Fleetwood Jourdain starting at 6:30 p.m. They will be asking residents on best practices to expand their services. Lastly, Commissioner Larry Suffredin will be hosting a property tax appeal workshop on Saturday, July 20 at the Levy Center at 6:30 p.m. Watch Adjournment Mayor Hagerty called a voice vote to adjourn the City Council meeting, and by unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned.