HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.01.19 (Special)
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER
JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Present:
Alderman Fiske Alderman Revelle
Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Rainey
Alderman Wynne Alderman Fleming
Alderman Wilson Alderman Suffredin
(8)
Absent:
Alderman Rue Simmons (1)
Presiding: Mayor Pro tempore Don Wilson
Devon Reid
City Clerk
Mayor’s Public Announcements
Mayor Hagerty had no announcements. Watch
City Manager’s Public Announcements
City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz has no announcements. Watch
City Clerk’s Communications
City Clerk Reid gave an update to Early Voting in Evanston Watch
Public Comment
Mike Vasilko Spoke about the turf product being used for the Robert Crown
Center. Said the city needs to direct the contractor to hold the
purchase of the material because of the dangerous chemicals within
the material
Watch
Eric Paset Owner of Northshore Apartments and Condos who shared his
concerns over the new assessment value. In order for them to
recuperate lost revenue, they need to increase rent by 5-10 percent.
Said this increase in taxes will cause vacant properties to increase in
downtown Evanston.
Watch
Ray Friedman Wanted to know how the money tied in the municipal bonds affect
property taxes in Evanston. Said he has not received a response yet
from the city. Said he isn’t opposed to the development of projects in
Evanston, as long as there is money to fund the projects without
increasing property taxes.
Watch
Bennett Johnson Invited City Council members to the Harley Clarke Committee
meeting to listen to speakers on different perspective on how to raise
funds for the preservation of historical buildings.
Watch
Betty Esther Said the community needs ample time to speak with City Council
members about issues they care about. When City Council doesn’t
adhere to the recommendation of the various committees, the
residents should be given more opportunity to persuade City Council
Watch
members on their votes.
Clare Kelly Said the city paid over $800,000 to hire a fundraiser to raise money
for the Robert Crown Center. Wanted to know the amount of money
was raised and where the money is located. To date she has not
received an answer and is asking the City Manager’s Office for a
response to her question.
Watch
Mary Rosinski Wanted complete financial disclosure and transparency for the
Robert Crow Center. Shared her concerns over the increasing
property taxes to pay off the debt in Evanston.
Watch
Dan Coyne Read a letter about his experience during a recent public comment
during the Ridgeville Park District Commissioner meeting. In the
letter, he reads about Ald. Rainey’s disperaging remarks towards
African-American residents saying “Any black person who wants a
port-a-pottys in their back yard is stupid” She went on to suggest
raising property taxes via referendum. When speaking about
Vice-President Rob Bady, Ald. Rainey went on to say “doesn’t wear
big boy pants in his hole as Vice President of the Board... he’s sat on
his big boy bottom for the past 6 years doing nothing”
Implored City Council to censor Ald. Rainey for her remarks and
hopes there can be better methods implemented to govern the city.
Watch
Doreen Price Complained about Executive Session items not being listed on the
agenda. Wants an independent officer for the Open Meetings Act.
Thanked Ald. Fiske for wanting procedures to be done more
effectively.
Watch
Call of the Wards
Ward
1:
No Report Watch
Ward
2:
No Report Watch
Ward
3:
Office hours 7-10 a.m. on April 4. Watch
Ward
4:
Sub-committee meeting April 22 at 4:15 p.m. Watch
Ward
5:
No Report Watch
Ward
6:
No Report Watch
Ward
7:
No Report Watch
Ward
8:
Responded to remarks made by Dan Coyne Watch
Ward
9:
No Report Watch
Adjournment
Mayor Pro tempore Don Wilson 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 (8-0) City Council recessed into
Executive Session