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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.18.19 ​REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, November 18th, 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 had no announcements Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Announcements: ●City Council Equity Training conducted by Northwestern University Professor Alvin Tillery Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk had no announcements Watch Public Comment Elizabeth Tisdahl Former Mayor Tisdahl described her experience working alongside Kevin Brown during the summer to increase community engagement with the youth in Evanston. She voiced her support for Kevin Brown and the Youth and Young Adult Services program. Watch Mike Vasilko Asked City Council to eliminate advertisements from the Evanston Now newspaper. He also requested the newspaper to be censured for publishing the addresses of three residents who attended a recent Mayor Town Hall meeting. Requested an update on the search firm that will be responsible for hiring the next City Manager. Watch Oliver Ruff Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. He doesn’t believe the alleged infractions violated by Mr. Brown warranted his termination. Watch Porchia Davis Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. She said all the allegations brought against Mr. Brown are false. Questioned how Mr. Brown or herself were never reprimanded over the course of three years for using the City credit card to pay for ticket violations, yet it has now been escalated to the termination of Mr. Brown. She said Director Hemingway has sat in Mrs. Davis office discussing his intentions to fire Mr. Brown. Claims she was sexually harassed by Director Hemingway and asked for an independent Watch investigation into Mr. Hemingway’s behavior. Asked for the termination of Mr. Brown to be reversed. Gail Schechter Read a letter on behalf of Dr. Bernard Lafayette in support of Kevin Brown. Watch Harris Miller Voiced his opposition to the termination of Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Believes his termination was part of a plan to eliminate important services from low-income and at-risk youth. Asked City Council to revert the City’s decision to terminate Mr. Brown. Watch Michele Hays Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. She stated that during Mr. Brown's tenure, violence in Evanston has been reduced. Asked City Council to reinstate Kevin Brown. Watch Liz Ribeiro Voiced her opposition to the termination of Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Said the decision to terminate Mr. Brown is one that is rooted in racial inequity. She volunteered to pay the parking tickets given to Mr. Browns teams. Asked City Council to reinstate Kevin Brown so he can continue to do his work of racial equity. Watch Doreen Price Talked about service animals. Watch Brenda Grier Asked City Council to reinstate Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Said she shared a similar experience while working for the Evanston Police Department back in the 80’s and being asked to resign without reason. Watch Harold Daniels Asked City Council to reinstate Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Claims the terms of the termination of Mr. Brown are frivolous and no basis for terminating him for parking tickets. Watch Mary Rosinski Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Ray Friedman Said that City Council is making decisions on behalf of residents and only seeks input from residents after those decisions have been made. He asked the City Council to consult with residents before making any decisions that affect the community. Watch Albert Gibbs Talked about the proposed 2020-21 City budget. Asked City Council to reinstate Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Betty Ester Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Candace Austin Believes there is a deliberate attempt to dismantle the Youth and Young Adult Program. Watch Allie Harned Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Requested an independent investigation be conducted for the termination of Kevin Brown. Watch Jean-Marie Freise Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Dale Griffin Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Angalia Bianca Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Would like to see a report on the amount of tickets issued to city employees and have the report broken down by categories including race and employment status. Watch Belinda McKinley Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Said Mr. Brown and his team have done an incredible job for the Youth and Young Adult Program. She asked the City Council to reinstate Kevin Brown. Watch Brittany Tepora Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Doesn’t understand why the City would give tickets to its own staff while on the job. Said the payments of tickets had accrued over a three year period and only recently resurfaced and ended with the termination of Mr. Brown. Called for an independent investigation into the termination of Mr. Brown. Watch Darlene Cannon Claimed Mayor Hagerty attempted to portray Kevin Brown in an unflattering manner. Watch Nicolette Jones Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. She claims politics were the cause of Mr. Browns termination. Watch Anthony Jones Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Asked City Council to reinstate Mr. Brown. Watch Roger Williams Opposed the termination of Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Praised the work done by Mr. Brown and the Youth and Young Adult Division in assisting at-risk youth in Evanston. Watch Priscilla Giles Urged caution to minorities who have been praised by City Council. Watch Rick Marsh Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Said the work Mr. Brown has done in the Evanston community has had a meaningful impact on the lives of the youth in the community. Asked City Council to reinstate Mr. Brown. Watch Grace Patino Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Asked for a thorough, independent investigation into the allegations Watch of the Youth and Young Adult Division being ticketed unfairly. Liz Brieva Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Commended the work Mr. Brown has done for the youth in Evanston. Inquired about the intended consequences Mr. Brown’s absence will have on the community. Watch Char Henry Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Asked City Council to reinstate Mr. Brown. Watch Cathleen Mccann Talked about the parking issues in Evanston. She doesn’t see a justifiable reason why Mr. Brown would be terminated over parking tickets. Encouraged City Council to resolve the matter and reinstate Mr. Brown. Watch Bennett Johnson Voiced her support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Ken Westbrooks Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Doesn’t believe parking tickets were the reason for terminating Mr. Brown. Claims there is an undisclosed personal issue that caused Mr. Brown’s termination. Watch Rudy Meo Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. He said Mr. Brown has a unique ability to empathize with those in need in the community. Praise the work done by Mr. Brown and asked the City Council to reinstate Mr. Brown. Watch Rob Pressoir Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Watch Stacey Moragne Jr. Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. Praised Kevin Brown for helping keep the youth off the streets. Watch Geary Kull Voiced his support for Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown. He said Mr. Brown has done a remarkable service to the community and any community would be lucky to have an individual like Mr. Brown serving their community. Watch Devon Reid Shared his opinion relating to the termination of Kevin Brown. Claimed there is a pattern of racial inequity in the city. Watch Pastor Nabors Pastor Nabors said the reputation of Community Services Manager, Kevin Brown has been sullied and doesn’t believe the City will reinstate Mr. Brown to his role. Regardless of the outcome, he believes Kevin Brown to be one of the most outstanding individuals he has ever met. Urged the residents of Evanston to help keep Mr. Brown from leaving the Evanston community. Watch Special Order of Business SP1. ​Ordinance 141-O-19, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Lease of City-Owned Real Property Located at 633 Howard Street with 633 Outpost, LLC, doing business as “Estación” City Council adopted Ordinance 141-O-19 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate the lease of City-owned property located at 633 Howard Street. For Action Passed 8-1​ Ald. Suffredin voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Rainey Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP2. ​Ordinance 149-O-19, Approval of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget City Council adopted Ordinance 149-O-19, approving the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget of the City of Evanston in the amount of $320,709,227. The budget is funded through a variety of revenue sources, including property taxes. Motion to keep the parking rate in the Central St Business District at $1.50/hr for the 2020 calendar year. Failed 2-7 For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Motion: ​Ald. Revelle Second:​ Ald. Suffredin Watch SP3. ​Resolutions 100-R-19 through 115-R-19 - Debt Service Property Tax Abatements City Council adopted Resolutions 100-R-19 through 115-R-19 by the City Council, abating in the amount of $5,711,746 property taxes levied for the year 2019 to pay principal and interest on general obligation corporate purpose bonds. These resolutions can be introduced in one motion as stated above and approved through a single roll call vote. For Action Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Second:​ Ald. Braithwaite Watch SP4. ​Ordinance 99-O-19, Adding Section 20 to Establish the “Adult Use Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax” City Council adopted Ordinance 99-O-19 “Amending Title 3, Chapter 2, “Municipal Occupation Taxes” of the City of Evanston by Adding a New Section 20 ‘Adult Use Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax’.” For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Fiske Second:​ Ald. Braithwaite Watch SP5. ​Ordinance 136-O-19, 2019 City of Evanston Tax Levy City Council adopted Tax Levy Ordinance 136- O-19, which levies the annual property tax for General Operations, Human Services Fund, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), Police and Fire Pension Funds, and the Solid Waste Fund totaling $34,851,018 as extended (including 3% loss factor). This represents an increase of 10.8% over the 2018 levy of $31,458,362 as extended. For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Braithwaite Second:​ Ald. Fiske Watch SP6. ​Ordinance 137-O-19, General Assistance 2019 Tax Levy City Council adopted Tax Levy Ordinance 137- O-19, which levies the annual property tax for General Assistance in the amount of $1,113,402 as extended (including 3% loss factor). This represents an increase of 21.2% over the 2018 levy of $918,367 as extended. For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Wynne Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP7. ​Ordinance 138-O-19, 2019 Evanston Library Fund Tax Levy City Council adopted Tax Levy Ordinance 138-O-19, per Library Board action on October 27, 2019 which levies the annual property tax for the Evanston Public Library in the amount of $7,476,289 as extended (including 3% loss factor). This represents an increase of 8.5% over the 2018 levy of $6,887,755 as extended. For Introduction Passed 6-3 ​ Ald. Suffredin, Rainey and Fleming voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Wilson Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP8. ​Ordinance 139-O-19, Special Service Area #4 2019 Tax Levy City Council adopted Tax Levy Ordinance 139- O-19, which levies the annual property tax for Special Service Area #4 in the amount of $592,665 ($610,995 as extended including loss factor of 3%). This represents an increase of 14.1% over the 2018 Levy of $525,000 ($535,714 as extended). For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Second: Rainey Watch SP9. ​Ordinance 140-O-19, Special Service Area #6 2019 Tax Levy City Council adopted Tax Levy Ordinance 140- O-19, which levies the annual property tax for Special Service Area #6 in the amount of $221,000 ($227,835 as extended including a loss factor of 3%). This represents a 1.0% increase over the 2018 Levy as extended of $225,420. For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion: ​Ald. Suffredin Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP10. ​Ordinance 154-O-19, Amending Various Chapters of Title 10, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic” Regarding Parking Violations City Council adopted Ordinance 154-O-19, amending various Chapters of Title 10, "Motor Vehicles and Traffic" regarding parking violations. The Ordinance will realign parking fines in phases over the next two years with the maximum increase to a single violation being $10. The proposed realignment affects many of the lesser issued citations and is recommended to ensure consistency and uniformity among the various citation types. Additional amendments to the code in this ordinance improve the organization of the sections and simplify where the fines can be found (example: Snow Parking Ban - the fee stays the same, but the information is moving Sections). For Introduction Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Revelle Second:​ Ald. Rainey Watch SP11. ​Ordinance 147-O-19, Administrative Tow Penalty City Council adopted Ordinance 147-O-19, an ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 6 "To add an administrative penalty under certain circumstances involving a vehicle seizure and impoundment". For Introduction Passed 7-1​ ​Ald. Wynne absent and Ald. Rue Simmons voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Rainey Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP12. ​Ordinance 150-O-19, Amending City Code Subsection 9-2-3 to Add Fire Department Emergency Incident Cost Recovery Fees City Council adopted Ordinance 150-O-19, Amending City Code Subsection 9-2-3 to Add Fire Department Emergency Incident Cost Recovery Fees. For Introduction Passed 8-0 ​Ald. Wynne absent for vote Motion:​ Ald. Fleming Second:​ Ald. Rue Simmons Watch SP13. ​Ordinance 151-O-19, Amending the Amusement Tax from 4% to 5% City Council adopted Ordinance 151-O-19, amending the amusement tax to increase the rate assessed from 4% to 5% of the admission fee or charge, effective on January 1, 2020. For Introduction Passed 8-1​ Ald. Suffredin voted “No” Motion:​ Ald. Fiske Second: ​Ald. Rainey Watch Motion to remove from the table Ordinance 51-O-19 and place at the next Administration & Public Works meeting. Passed 9-0 Motion:​ Ald. Rainey Second:​ Ald. Wilson Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1: No Report Watch Ward 2: Referral to staff to review and bring back an agenda item pertaining to the application of two organizations that were unable to attend a previous Community Development Block Grant meeting. Watch Ward 3: No Report Watch Ward 4: Shared his thoughts about public comment and the concerns of the residents. Watch Ward 5: Praised the work of Kevin Brown and the Youth and Young Adult Division. Watch Ward 6: No Report Watch Ward 7: No Report Watch Ward 8: No Report Watch Ward 9: Made a referral to the Affordable Housing Plan Steering Committee to create an agenda item that looks into waiving city fees for accessible dwelling units. Made a referral to Human Services to review the City’s HR Manual. Made a referral to Economic Development to research a solution and provide small business owners with a space in which they can sell their products with other small business owners. 9th Ward Holiday Party & Coat Drive on Friday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oldershaw Hall of St. Nicholas Church Watch Adjournment Ald. Wilson made a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting, with Ald. Fleming seconding that motion. Mayor Hagerty called a voice vote to adjourn the City Council meeting, and by unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned.