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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.28.19 ​REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, January 28th, 2018 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 thanked the Public Works Department for their work in maintaining the streets clean and safe. Asked the public to remain safe during the upcoming polar vortex. Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz gave an update to the Federal Government shutdown. Noted NU will be closed from 8pm tomorrow through noon on Thursday. YMCA will close its main facility on Wednesday. D65 and D202 to decide tomorrow about whether to close on Wednesday. Further information will become available as the weather develops. Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk gave a recap of the event hosted with former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Watch Public Comment Mike Vasilko Asked City Council to hold Item A14 for further discussion Watch Doreen Price Had questions about Agenda Item A21.Said the agenda item is not listed properly on the agenda and would like an updated on the Ordinance. Watch Ben Shapiro Talked about Ordinance 4-O-19. Said the type of building being proposed for development will negatively impact the libraries ability to serve the public. Watch Ray Friedman Made suggestion about seceding time for public comment. Asked about property taxes, affordable housing and city projects Watch Terri Klauke Spoke in favor of Agenda Item P7 Watch Harris Miller Supported both medical practice offices on Chicago Ave. Watch Misty Wittenburg Urged City Council to admit liability in the Lawrence Crosby case. Said the attorneys for the city are not representing the public interest. Asked City Council to Watch Albert Gibbs Talked about the money being spent on the contractors for the new Robert Crown facility. Stated that officers in the Lawrence Crosby case acted like thugs towards Mr. Crosby simply because a white person made a call to the police. Kenneth Jones President of St. Francis Hospital in Evanston who spoke in favor of Resolution 2-R-19, giving a grant for a Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program. Clerk Reid Clerk Reid read the following statement: Tonight the City Council is set to approve a 1.25 million settlement for reputational harm caused by us, the City, in our refusal to take responsibility and work toward ensuring swift justice. Community scrutiny has largely been centered around the actions of the first responders. The police department, who have a tough job and thought this was a felony stop, have issued a number of reforms including body cameras for all officers and the cessation of policy forcing suspects into a prone position during felony traffic stops. We should be proud of these steps and I expect under the leadership of, Chief Cook, our new Police Chief measures will go further. Recent conversations amongst community members have also focused on the young lady who reported the supposed crime. The swift criminalization and suspicion of the black body and young black men is unfortunately ingrained deeply into the bedrock of our culture. We must as individuals and as an institution check racial bias, afford our neighbors the benefit of the doubt, and be willing to investigate further. I’m concerned by what hasn’t garnered attention from the public and most alarmingly some members of this Dias. The City’s released dashcam footage opened by furthering the criminalization of Mr. Crosby accusing him of “actively resisting arrest” and failing to comply with officers. This was a year after he’d been acquitted of those charges After my false arrest, while petitioning to run for this office, the former 9th ward Alderman demanded the release of dashcam footage to highlight a disparity & unjust application of policing in our community. The public interest in the City’s acknowledgment of wrongdoing goes far beyond the financial costs. It’s essential for public trust. It’s essential for the safety of our police officers who put great effort in establishing trust in the community they serve. Admitting fault is also essential for deterring reoccurrence of an offense. Instead of apologizing to Mr. Crosby after finding out the car was registered to him, he was arrested. Instead of dropping the charges the former corporation counsel reasonably knew were false and would be dismissed in court, we chose to pursue them, prompting this lawsuit. I know this council is committed to making our great community the most livable city in the world. I ask that in light of tonight's settlement the council will review the process for reviewing criminal charges within the Law Department. I also ask that we review the use of disobedience to police as a charge. I hope we will review these issues and moving forward and take steps to assure this will not happen again in the future. Consent Agenda (M1) ​Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 14, 2019. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Motion: Ald. Rue Simmons Watch (A1) ​Payroll – December 24, 2018 through January 06, 2018 $ 2,993,970.11 For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A2)​ Bills List – January 29, 2019 FY 18 $ 2,159,324.72 Bills List – January 29, 2019 FY 19 $ 438,346.36 BMO Credit Card Activity – Period Ending October 26, 2018 (without Amazon) $ 182,884.62 For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A3)​ BMO Amazon Credit Card Activity Period Ending October 26, 2018 $ 14,154.98 For Action Passed 7-0-1​ Ald.Suffredin abstained Watch (A4) ​Purchase of Ten Vehicles for Operations in the Police Department, Fire Department and Facilities Management City Council approved the purchase of ten (10) vehicles for operations in the Police Department, Fire Department and Facilities Management. The following vehicles will be purchased: five (5) 2019 Ford Explorer SUVs, one (1) 2019 Ford Taurus Sedan and one (1) 2019 Ford Transit Full Sized Van from Currie Motors Fleet (10125 W. Laraway, Frankfort, IL 60423) in the amount of $213,051.00; and two (2) 2019 Ford Expedition SUVs and one (1) 2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van will be purchased from Kunes Country Ford of Antioch (104 Route 173 W. Antioch, IL 60002) in the amount of $102,567.00. Funding for the vehicles will be from the Equipment Replacement Fund (Account 601.19.7780.65550) in the amount of $315,618.00, which has a budgeted amount of $1,622,977. This expenditure represents 19.4% of this budgeted amount. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A5) ​Extension of Intergovernmental Agreement for 2019 Refuse Disposal Fees to Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an extension of the intergovernmental agreement for 2019 refuse disposal fees to Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) in the not to exceed amount of $750,000 for operations and maintenance transfer fees. Funding will be provided by the Solid Waste Fund (Account 520.40.4310.62405), which has a budget of $750,000 for FY2019. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A6) ​Approval of Estimated Annual User Charge for 2019 with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for Disposal of Sludge City Council approved the estimated annual user charge for 2019 with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) for disposal of sludge generated as part of the water treatment process in the amount $154,304.18. Four payments of $38,576.05 will be made beginning in February 2019 and ending November 2019. Funding for this work will be from the Water Fund (Account 510.40.4220.62420). This account has a budget of $339,000.00 allocated for MWRDGC sludge disposal fees. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A7) ​Agreement with Harris Computer Systems for Harris NorthStar Utility Billing Software City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a renewal of the annual sole source maintenance and support agreement for the term March 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019 with Harris Computer Systems (1 Antares Drive, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario) for Harris NorthStar Utility Billing software, in the amount of $35,767.39. Funding for this purchase will be from Water Fund (Account 510.40.4225.62340), which has an allocation of $45,000.00 for this item. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A8) ​Contract with CDM Smith Inc. for the Water Plant Evaluation City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract for the Water Plant Evaluation (RFP 18-55) with CDM Smith Inc. (125 South Wacker, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606) in the amount of $191,653.00. Funding for the study will be provided from the Water Fund (Account 510.40.4200.62180). This account has a budget of $200,000.00 in FY 2019, all of which is remaining. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A9) ​Contract with The Ogni Group for Sherman Plaza Garage Lighting Upgrade City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract for the Sherman Plaza Garage Lighting Upgrade with The Ogni Group, (140 East Commercial Street, Suite 1, Wood Dale, IL) in the amount of $334,618.00. Funding is available from the Parking Fund (Account No. 505.19.7005.65515 – 618001), which has a budget of $650,000, all of which is remaining. For Action Passed 7-1​ Ald. Suffredin voted “No” Watch (A10) ​Resolution 8-R-19, Authorizing Construction on Illinois State Highways for Years 2019 and 2020 City Council adopted Resolution 8-R-19, authorizing construction on Illinois state highways for years 2019 and 2020. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A11) ​Resolution 6-R-19, Approving Release of City Council Closed Session Minutes City Council adopted Resolution 6-R-19, releasing certain closed session meeting minutes and finding that a need still exists for confidentiality as to other minutes. The City is furthering its efforts to provide access to information and openness in government through the appropriate release of closed session minutes of the City Council. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A12) ​Resolution 9-R-19, Approving Settlement and Release of all Claims in Lawrence Crosby v. City of Evanston, et al. City Council adopted Resolution 9-R-18 authorizing the City of Evanston to issue a settlement payment pursuant to a settlement agreement and release in Lawrence Crosby v. City of Evanston, et al. (Case No. 16-L010029). Funding will be from the Insurance Fund. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A13) ​Resolution 2-R-19, Grant Agreement with AMITA Saint Francis Hospital to Receive Funding for the Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program City Council adopted Resolution 2-R-19, authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with AMITA Saint Francis Hospital to receive funding for a Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedic Program. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A14) ​Resolution 7-R-19, Expressing Official Intent Regarding Expenditures from the Funds of the City of Evanston to be Reimbursed from Proceeds of Obligations to be Issued by the City of Evanston City Council adopted Resolution 7-R-19, authorizing payments relating to FY 2019 Capital Improvement Plan (C.I.P.) project expenditures up to $31,360,000 be reimbursed by the subsequent 2019 General Obligation (G.O.) bond issuance. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A15) ​Ordinance 163-O-18, Amending Portions of City Code Section 10-11-7(A), “Passenger Loading Zones” to Amend the Loading Zone on Simpson Street City Council adopted Ordinance 163-O-18, amending portions of City Code Section 10-11-7(A), “Passenger Loading Zones” to amend the loading zone on Simpson Street. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (A16) ​Ordinance 162-O-18, Amending Portions of City Code Section 7-2-6(D), “Sidewalk Cafes” Update the Sidewalk Café Application Process and Increase Sidewalk Café Permit Fees City Council adopted Ordinance 162-O-18, amending portions of Ordinance 7-2-6(D) “Sidewalk Cafes” to modify permit fees and approval procedures. Staff proposes Sidewalk Café permit applications to require the approval of the Design & Project Review (DAPR) Committee, with exception of requests for City Council to permit the consumption or sale of alcohol on sidewalk cafe premises. Sidewalk Café permit fees will increase to align with cost of administering the program and use of the surrounding public way. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (P1) ​Community Partners for Affordable Housing Proposal for the Continued Administration of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Waitlist City Council approved $28,675 for Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) to continue administering Evanston’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (“IHO”) centralized waitlist and conduct income certifications and recertification of households for inclusionary units. The Housing and Homelessness Commission reviewed CPAH’s proposal at its meeting on December 6, 2018, and concluded it should receive a favorable funding recommendation. However, due to a lack of quorum, the Commission was not able to officially vote on the application. The funding source is the City’s Affordable Housing Fund (Account 250.21.5465.62490). The Affordable Housing Fund has a current uncommitted cash balance of approximately $800,000; including $50,000 budgeted for other program costs in FY2019. This item was held at the Planning & Development Committee meeting on January 14, 2019 to January 28, 2019. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Motion: Ald. Revelle Watch (P2) ​Ordinance 112-O-18 Granting Major Zoning Relief for Building Lot Coverage, Setbacks, and Open Parking at 2626 Reese Avenue City staff recommends a continuation of the requested zoning relief at 2626 Reese Ave. to the February 11, 2019 Planning & Development Committee meeting. Staff requests additional time to research similar developed and undeveloped 25’ wide corner lots throughout the city, which will also allow the applicant additional time to react to the comments and concerns raised at the January 14, 2019 Neighborhood Meeting. For Introduction Held in Committee until February 11 (P3) ​Ordinance 9-O-19, Granting a Special Use for a Ground-Floor Medical Office and Major Zoning Relief for No Additional Parking at 524 Main Street City Council adopted Ordinance 9- O-19 granting special use approval for a ground-floor Medical Office, North Shore University Health System, and major zoning relief for no additional parking spaces where 7 additional parking spaces are required for a Medical Office, in the C1a Commercial Mixed-Use District and the oDM Dempster-Main Overlay District. The applicant has complied with all zoning requirements and meets all of the standards for special use and major variations for this district. For Introduction and Action Approved for Introduction (P4) ​Ordinance 4-O-19, Granting a Special Use Permit for a Planned Development Located at 1714-1720 Chicago Avenue and Amending the Zoning Map The Plan Commission and staff recommend denial of Ordinance 4-O-19 for approval of a Map Amendment from the R6 General Residential to the D3 Downtown Core Development District and a Planned Development for a 13-story office building with 112 on-site parking spaces. Passage of the Map Amendment shall require a favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all the Aldermen per City Code 6-3-4-7 because a petition signed and acknowledged by 30% of owners of property within 500-feet of the subject property was submitted to the City. For Introduction Held in Committee until February 11. (P5) ​Vacation Rental License for 1945 Jackson Avenue, Apartment 1 City staff recommends approval of a Vacation Rental License for the property located at 1945 Jackson Avenue, Apartment 1. The Vacation Rental meets all of the Standards and Procedures for license approval. For Action Defeated in Committee (P6) ​Ordinance 3-O-19, Amending Portion of City Code Section 6-15-13, “oRD Redevelopment Overlay Districts Addressing Special Uses” City Council adopted Ordinance 3-O-19, amending the Zoning Ordinance Sections 6-15-13-2 Procedure for District Designation and 6-15-13-7 Permitted Uses, and creating a new Section 6-15-13-8 Special Uses to clarify the permitted and special uses in the oRD Redevelopment Overlay District and update the list of underlying zoning districts that may carry the overlay designation. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda (P7) ​Ordinance 7-O-19, Granting Special Use Permit for a Medical Office Located at 705 Main Street in the B2 Business District and the oDM Dempster-Main Overlay District City Council adopted Ordinance 7-O-19 granting special use approval for a ground-floor Medical Office, Evanston Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center, in the B2 District and oDM DempsterMain Overlay District. The applicant has complied with all zoning requirements, and meets all of the standards of a special use for this district. For Action Approved on Consent Agenda Call of the Wards Ward 1: Warned about frozen paws for dogs out walking during the extreme cold. Watch Ward 2: Shared his remarks on the Crosby case Watch Ward 3: Office hours will be from 7-10 am at Brothers K on February 7 Watch Ward 4: Acknowledged the Crosby settlement case and said a lot of changes need to be made. Felt sorry this happened to Mr. Crosby, but also concerned about prejudices that underlie such events. Said that we need to tear down barriers that have been put up and look to the future and effectuate real, long-term change. Watch Ward 5: 5th Ward meeting Feb. 13 in G300 at Civic Center at 7 p.m. Watch Ward 6: No Report Watch Ward 7: No Report Watch Ward 8: Neighborhood meeting Feb 5 at Peckish Pig at 7 p.m. Thanked Public Works Department for all their hard work. Concerned that pipes would freeze during the harsh cold. Watch Ward 9: No Report 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 (8-0) City Council recessed into Executive Session.