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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.22.19 (Special) ​SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, April 22th, 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 and 1 Proclamation: ●Earth Day, April 22 ●Arbor Day, April 26 Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz had no announcements Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk Reid a statement from Jenn Brennan voicing her support for the early childhood program at Robert Crown Center. Read a letter from Allie Harned which invited people to attend the Local Area Network meeting on April 23, 2019 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the Parasol Room. Clerk Reid also received a Memo from community members regarding the A & B General Obligation Bonds. Lastly, Financial Disclosure and Affiliation Statements are due May 1, 2019. Watch Public Comment Mike Vasilko Stated City Council does not have all the information to make a sound decision on the bond sale. Is asking the bond vote to be delayed. Ask City Council to hold a meeting with the residents about Robert Crown. Watch Harris Miller Believes City Council meetings become exclusive rather than inclusive when the public is not given other mediums through which they can provide public comment. Would like Clerk Reid’s idea for public comment be recommended to the Rules Committee for discussion. Also asked City Council to vote against the Robert Crown bond sale. Watch Misty Witenberg Wanted to remind City Council of last years consideration to remove important services to the community in order to balance the budget. Asked how the city could consider slashing these services while adding millions of debt to the city. Watch Trisha Connolly Believes residents and Council members are not fully informed of the agreements being proposed. There are great things about the new Robert Crown Center, but would like City Council to make an informed decision before voting on the bond sale. Watch Doreen Price Shared her support for Ald. Rue Simmons previous comment of money not being allocated to help residents in Evanston. Talked about homeowners needing assistance to remodel homes and asked the City to help provide that assistance. Watch James Engleman Suggested that in the event Family Focus is closed down, the city should consider relocating children that attend Family Focus to the Harley Clarke mansion. Watch Jack Crane Talked about the need for turf fields for the youth who practice soccer. Believes the new fields at the Robert Crown Center will help bring a sense of community to Evanston. Watch John Berkley Represents the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and Evanston Soccer Association who advocated to support the sale of bonds for the Robert Crown Center. Thanked City Council in supporting the new Robert Crown Center and making an investment in the future for children in Evanston. Watch Micheal Peterson Talked about turf fields in Evanston. Other communities have invested in turf fields and it’s allowed more recreational time for the kids, even during inclement weather. Stated there are no turf fields in Evanston which puts our city at a disadvantage. Watch Clare Kelly Stated the city doesn’t have a plan to pay the first 25 million dollars in bonds. After going through all documentation regarding the bonds, there was no plan listed on how the city planned to pay for the Robert Crown Center. Suggested to wait until the Letters of Intent (LOI) have been negotiated to determine if 18 million in bonds are required. Watch Mathew Tobin Voiced his support for the new Robert Crown Center. Specifically, he supports the development of all sports fields. Said turf fields will become an asset for the community with little maintenance in comparison to grass fields. Thanked City Council for their support on the new Robert Crown Center. Watch Ben Shapiro Evanston Public Library Board President, thanked City Council for including the Evanston Library in the Robert Crown project. This will give the library the opportunity to reach a part of the community that had little access to the library before. Watch Ray Friedman Shared his observations of City Council attempt to change public comment. Would like to see questions that arise during public Watch comment answered. Diane Thodos Made a reference to a speech made my Ald. Fleming in 2013 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston and then a speech in Springfield, Illinois. She hopes Ald. Fleming will vote against the 18 million bonds that will affect residents in the city. Watch Meg Welch Believes the Robert Crown Center can be developed for less than 54 million dollars. Asked City Council for the opportunity to present other facilities that have been developed by other communities. Stated there is 1.5 million per year for the debt service that needs to be paid, with no current plan on how to pay for it. There is no homeless shelter for families, no funds for seniors who can’t afford their garbage collection fees, and no funds for families that need to pay their zone parking fees. Watch Darlene Cannon Agrees with a new Robert Crown Center, but doesn’t believe it requires 54 million dollars to construct. She believes the new Robert Crown Center is being built for wealthier Evanstonians who can afford to use the facility, while being paid for by the underprivileged residents of the community. The immediate impacts will affect housing and social services, especially those which affect the poor. Watch Mido Shammaa Talked about the childcare center at Robert Crown. Watch Michael Bonaguro Attorney who represented the owners at 2425 Oakton Street is asking City Council to vote against the proposed development for a carwash at 2425 Oakton. Watch Consent Agenda (M1) ​Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings of March 11, 2019, March 18, 2019 and April 1, 2019 and April 8, 2019. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Motion: Ald. Suffredin Watch (A1) ​Payroll – March 18, 2019 through March 31, 2019 $ 2,623,071.86 For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A2)​ Bills List – April 23, 2019 $ 5,788,823.06 For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A3) ​Contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for 1909 Raw Water Intake Replacement City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract for the 1909 Raw Water Intake Replacement (RFP 19-02) with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (350 North Orleans Street, Suite 1301, Chicago, IL 60604) in the amount of $598,909.00. Funding will be provided from the Water Fund (Account 513.71.7330.62145-719001), which has an FY 2019 budget allocation of $300,000. The total budget for this this 2-year design project over FY 2019 and FY 2020 is $600,000. City Council will need to allocate additional funds in FY 2020 to complete the project. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A4) ​Contract with Sumit Construction Co., Inc. for the 2019 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Project City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract for the 2019 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Project (Bid No. 19-10) with Sumit Construction Co., Inc. (4150 W. Wrightwood Ave Chicago, IL 60039) in the amount of $232,365.00. Funding will be provided from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2019 General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $150,000 and from estimated private funds in the amount of $82,365. A detailed funding breakdown can be found on the corresponding transmittal memorandum. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A5) ​Change Order 5 to Contract with CDM Smith for Engineering Services for the Treated Water Storage Replacement Project Engineering Services City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 5 to the agreement for the Treated Water Storage Replacement Project Engineering Services to CDM Smith (125 South Wacker Drive, Suite 600, Chicago, IL) in the amount of $366,012.00. This will increase the total contract amount from the current contract price of $1,350,770.00 to $1,716,782.00. Funding will be from the Water Fund, Capital Improvement Account 513.71.7330.62145 - 733107, which has an FY 2019 budget allocation of $13,700,000. The total budget for the Clearwell 9 Rehabilitation Project (including construction and engineering services during construction for FY 2019 and FY 2020) is $23,900,000, of which $4,197,417 is remaining after authorized construction and engineering costs. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A6) ​Contract Extension with Interra, Inc. for Material Testing Services City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment for the second 1-year contract extension with Interra, Inc. (600 Territorial Drive, Suite G, Bolingbrook, IL 60440) to the agreement for Material Testing Services (RFP 17-02) for various capital infrastructure improvement projects in the not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. Funding will be provided from the 2019 General Obligation Bonds, Water Fund, MFT Fund, Parking Fund, and Sewer Fund, depending on the project. Projects utilizing material testing services include street resurfacing, alley paving, sidewalk replacement, sewer and water main improvements, and other infrastructure improvements as needed. A detailed funding breakdown can be found on the corresponding transmittal memorandum. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A7) ​Purchase of Trees for Spring Planting City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract award for the purchase of 246 trees from Suburban Tree Consortium in the amount of $52,625.00. Funding for this purchase is provided from the General Fund and private funding as outlined in the corresponding transmittal memorandum. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A8) ​Contract with Herrera Landscape and Snow Removal, Inc. for 2019 Tree Planting Services City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract award for the 2019 Tree Planting Services to Herrera Landscape and Snow Removal, Inc. (8836 Lincolnwood Drive, Evanston, IL 60203) in an amount not to exceed $45,000.00. Funding for this project is from the FY 2019 General Fund budget 100.40.4320.65005, which has a total allocation of $135,000, which has a remaining balance of $82,375. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A9) ​Purchase of Five (5) PlateScout License Recognition Systems from Passport Labs City Council approved the Single Source purchase of five (5) PlateScout License Plate Recognition systems from Passport Labs (128 S. Tryon Street #2200, Charlotte, NC 28292) for the Administrative Services Department in the amount of $206,500.00. Funding will be from the Parking Fund – Other Improvements (Account 505.19.7005.65515), with a budget of $3,510,000.00 and $3,405,607.91 remaining. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A10) ​Amendment to Agreement for Crossing Guards Services with Andy Frain Services, Inc. to Add One Additional Crossing Guard City Council authorized the City Manager to amend the agreement with Andy Fran Services, Inc. (761 Shoreline Drive, Aurora, IL 60504) to increase the not-to-exceed amount from $620,662 to $631,662 per year to add one additional crossing guard (RFP #18-52). Funding for the additional $11,000 will be from the City Manager – Other Program Costs (Account 100.15.1505.62490) with a budget of $23,617 and a YTD balance of $20,063. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A11) ​2018 Year-End Financial Report City Council accepted and placed on file the 2018 year end financial report. For Action: Accept and Place on File Approved on Consent Agenda (A12) ​Resolution 34-R-19, Increase the Total Fiscal Year 2018 Budget by $18,641,429 to a New Total of $354,110,437 City Council adopted Resolution 34-R-19, amending the 2018 Budget by $18,641,429 to a new total of $354,110,437 as detailed in the corresponding transmittal memorandum. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A13) Resolution 42-R-19, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Seven Year Cable Television Franchise Agreement with Comcast City Council adopted Resolution 42-R-19 authorizing the City Manager to execute a seven (7) year Cable Television Franchise Agreement with Comcast of Illinois IV, Inc. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A14) ​Resolution 19-R-19, Intergovernmental Agreement for Reciprocal Reporting and School Resource Officer City Council adopted Resolution 19-R-19, authorizing the City Manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Evanston Township High School District 202 (“ETHS”) for the use of two (2) Evanston Police Department officers at ETHS for the purpose of providing school resource officers (the “Intergovernmental Agreement”). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A15) ​Resolution 37-R-19, Professional Services Agreement with Kane McKenna for Tax Increment Financing Consulting Services City Council adopted Resolution 37-R-19 authorizing the City Manager to enter into a consulting contract with Kane McKenna and Associates, Inc. for study of the eligibility of expansion of the Howard Ridge Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District (#5) to include additional properties (50 PINs), for an amount not-to-exceed $30,500. The potential expansion of the district constitutes a major amendment to the TIF district and requires full eligibility of new parcels and public meeting process. The length of time for the district is not under consideration for extension at this time. Funding will come from Howard Ridge TIF Consulting Services Fund (Account 330.99.5860.62185). For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A16) ​Ordinance 23-O-19, Amending City Code Section 10-8-1 “License Required” Changing the Wheel Tax Deadline City Council adopted Ordinance 23-O-19 which amends the City Code Section 10-8-1 to change the wheel tax deadline to October 1 instead of December 31. The renewal period would begin on August 1 and run through September 30. For Introduction Approved on Consent Agenda (A17) ​Ordinance 16-O-19, Amending Portions of City Code Title 7, “Public Ways”, Chapter 2 “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Ways”, Section 9 “Encumbrances, Encroachments and Obstructions” City Council adopted Ordinance 16-O-19 by which the City Council would amend Title 7, Chapter 2, Section 9 of the City Code related to the Encumbrances, Encroachments and Obstructions of the Public Ways. For Introduction Approved on Consent Agenda (A18) ​Ordinance 17-O-19, Amending Portions of City Code Title 8, “Health and Sanitation”, Chapter 4 “Municipal Solid Waste”, Section 8 “Designation of Collection Site; Collection Agent” City Council adopted Ordinance 17-O-19 by which the City Council would amend Title 8, Chapter 4, Section 8 of the City Code related to the Designation of Collection Site; Collection Agent. Language is being added to make it clear that property owners are responsible to clear snow and ice around trash receptacles so that the trash can be properly and safely collected. For Introduction Approved on Consent Agenda (A19) ​Ordinance 39-O-19, Amending Portions of City Code Title 7, “Public Ways,” Chapter 15 “Board of Local Improvements” City Council adopted Ordinance 39-O-19 by which the City Council would amend Title 7, Chapter 15, Section 7 of the City Code related to the Special Assessment procedures for alley improvements. For Introduction Passed 9-0 Watch (A20) ​Ordinance 43-O-19, Adding Regulations to the City Code to Address Erosion and Sediment Controls for Construction Sites City Council adopted Ordinance 43-O-19 by which the City Council would add Chapter 23 “Erosion and Sediment Controls on Construction Sites” to Title 4 “Building Regulations.” For Introduction Passed 9-0 Watch (A21) Ordinance 33-O-19, Amending a Definition within Title 4, Chapter 20 that Addresses the Frequency of Heavy Precipitation Events Based on a Recent Illinois State Water Survey City Council adopted Ordinance 33-O-19 by which the City Council would amend Title 4, Chapter 20, related to the definition of Bulletin 70, a document published by the Illinois State Water Survey regarding the frequency distributions of heavy precipitation in Illinois. For Introduction Approved on Consent Agenda (A22) ​Resolution 44-R-19, Amending the City of Evanston Budget Policy City Council adopted Resolution 44-R-19 amending the City of Evanston Budget Policy to state that Tax Supported General Obligation Debt shall not exceed $160,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. For Action Passed 8-1​ Ald. Rue Simmons voted “No” Watch (A23) ​Ordinance 27-O-19, Authorizing 2019 A&B General Obligation Bonds City Council adopted Ordinance 27-O-19 providing for the issuance of one or more series of not to exceed $18,000,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2019A, to finance the construction and equipment of a new Robert Crown Community Center, Ice Complex and Library Center and one or more series of not to exceed $18,000,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2019B, for capital improvements, of the City of Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, authorizing the execution of one or more bond orders in connection therewith, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds, and authorizing and directing Watch the sale of said bonds at public competitive sale. The ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting on April 8, 2019. The final terms of the bonds will be approved by the Designated Officers under the ordinance after the bond sale, which is scheduled for May 16, 2019, by completion of the bond order as authorized by the bond ordinance. Staff plans to return to the City Council at its December 9, 2019 City Council meeting with additional amendments to the budget policy reducing the debt limit back to $152 million and add language indicating that this limit is measured with outstanding indebtedness annually on December 31. Motion to call the question Passed 5-4​ Ald. Simmons, Suffredin, Revelle & Fleming vote “No” Motion to hold item for one week to seek community input Motion to overrule the hold on the item Passed 6-3​ Ald. Rue Simmons, Suffredin & Fleming voted “No” For Action Passed 6-3​ Ald. Simmons, Suffredin & Fleming vote “No” Re-vote Passed 7-2​ Ald. Rue Simmons and Suffredin voted “No” Motion: Ald. Wilson Motion: Ald. Rue Simmons Motion: Ald. Rainey Watch (A24) ​Ordinance 28-O-19, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1524 City Council adopted Ordinance 28-O-19 allowing the paving of the alley north of Simpson Street and east of McDaniel Avenue through the Special Assessment Process. Funding will be from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2019 General Obligation Bonds (Account 415.40.4119.65515 – 419001), which has $250,000 budgeted in FY 2019; and the Special Assessment Funds (Account 420.26.6000.65515 – 419001), which has $408,000 budgeted in FY 2019. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A25) ​Ordinance 29-O-19, Updating City Code Section 10-4-16-2(A) Vehicle Parking Permits City Council adopted Ordinance 29-O-19, amending City Code Section 10-4-16 changing the payment for parking permits from quarterly to monthly and allowing for the stickerless enforcement of the City-operated surface parking lots. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (P1) ​Ordinance 112-O-18 Granting Major Zoning Relief for Building Lot Coverage, Setbacks, and Open Parking at 2626 Reese Ave. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends denial of Ordinance 112-O-18 for major zoning relief for the following: 42.5% building lot coverage where a maximum 30% is allowed; 3’ south interior side yard setback where 5’ is required for the principal structure; and 3.5’ street side yard setback where 15’ is required for the principal structure, 8.5’ street side yard setback where 15’ is required for a deck, a 10’ street side yard setback where 15’ is required for a detached garage, and a 1’ street side yard setback where 15’ is required for open parking. The Zoning Board of Appeals determined the proposal does not meet all Standards for Major Variation, specifically that the proposal would result in a substantial adverse impact on the use, enjoyment or property values of adjoining properties, and that the requested variations are not the least deviation from the applicable regulations among the feasible options identified. The applicant submitted revised plans on February 10, 2019 that meets staff’s recommendation by reducing the bulk to a 1.5 story house and reducing the building lot coverage by removing an open parking space, which creates a variation for providing less than two required parking spaces. For Introduction Failed in Committee Motion: Ald. Revelle Watch (P2) ​Ordinance 32-O-19, Granting a Special Use and Zoning Relief for an Automobile Service Station and Convenience Store at 140 Chicago Avenue City Council adopted Ordinance 32-O-19 granting special use approval and major zoning relief to reconstruct an Automobile Service Station, Mobile, a Convenience Store, and for a 21’ two-way drive aisle where 24’ is required, at 140 Chicago Ave in the C1 Commercial District. The applicant has complied with all zoning requirements and meets all of the standards for a special use and variation for this district. For Introduction and Action Approved on Consent Agenda (P3) ​Ordinance 18-O-19, Amending City Code Section 6-15-14-7, “Active Ground Floor Uses” City Council adopted Ordinance 18-O-19, amending the Zoning Ordinance Section 6-15-14-7 to revise the listing of appropriate ground floor uses in the Central Street Overlay District. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (P4) ​Ordinance 30-O-19, Granting a Special Use Permit for a Planned Development at 2425 Oakton Street City Council adopted Ordinance 30-O-19 for approval of a Planned Development for a car wash facility with 20 vacuum spaces and 4 parking spaces in the I1 Industrial District and oRD Redevelopment Overlay District. The applicant is seeking one site development allowance for an accessory structure that is 3 ft. from the principal structure where 10 ft. is required. For Action Passed 8-1​ Ald. Rainey voted “No” Watch (O1) ​Recommendation and Utilization of Local Employment Program Penalty Funds for Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse Pathways to Union Apprenticeship Program Proposal City Council approved to provide financial assistance through the Local Employment Program (LEP) Workforce Reserve Penalty Account totaling $40,000 to Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse and Minority Business Consortium. Funding will be from the LEP Workforce Reserve - Penalty Account (100.41307), with an available fund balance of $71,871.59. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Motion: Ald. Rue Simmons Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1: Made referral to the Planning and Development Department to include a definition of heritage trees in the City's Preservation Ordinance and where appropriate in the City Code. Watch Ward 2: Thanked everyone who attended the community clean-up event. Made a referral to the City Manager to prepare a meeting to present information relating to Robert Crown. Watch Ward 3: Quarterly town hall meeting at Lincoln school on Thursday, April 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Watch Ward 4: Suggested a presentation be prepared to inform residents about the Robert Crown development. Watch Ward 5: Encouraged everyone to attend the grand opening of “Gyros Planet” on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. There will be a 5th Ward meeting on Wednesday May 8 at 7:00 p.m. Watch Ward 6: Ribbon cutting for “Normandy Remodeling” on Tuesday April 23, 2019. Willard PTA rummage sale on May 4, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Watch Ward 7: Ward meeting on Thursday April 25, 2019 at the Ecology Center starting at 7:00 p.m. Watch Ward 8: Attended a ceremony conducted by Northwestern's Graduate Leadership & Advocacy Council, honoring Shane Colombo. 8th Ward meeting on Thursday April 25, 2019 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Levy Senior Center. Watch Ward 9: Made a referral to city staff to provide information for the next affordable housing meeting on how to provide relocation assistance for residents, similar to what the City of Long Beach does. Watch Adjournment Mayor Hagerty called a voice vote to adjourn the City Council meeting, and by unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned. Ald. Wilson led City Council into Executive Session. A roll call vote was taken and by a unanimous vote (9-0) City Council recessed into Executive Session.