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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.26.19 (Special) ​SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Saturday, October 26th, 2019 Present: Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Rainey Alderman Wynne Alderman Fleming Alderman Wilson Alderman Suffredin Alderman Rue Simmons (7) Absent: Alderman Fiske Alderman Revelle (2) Presiding: Mayor Stephen Hagerty Devon Reid City Clerk Mayor’s Public Announcements Mayor Hagerty provided an update on the search for a new City Manager. Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Erika Storlie had no announcements. Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk Reid gave suggestions on how to raise revenue for the city. Watch Mayor Hagerty called the Hearing on FY 2020 Proposed Budget to order at 9:12 a.m. Public Hearing on FY 2020 Proposed Budget Public Comment Michael Vasilko Expects there to be an open discussion over the city budget. He is opposed to the proposed property tax increase. Wants the city to be efficient with the available resources. Watch John Cooper Owner of a storage facility that is opposed to a self-storage usage tax. Said the tax will make residents consider other municipalities such as Skokie and Wilmette to store their belongings because they do not have self-storage taxes. The proposed tax will also make it difficult for commercial tenants to do business in Evanston. Watch Ray Friedman Thanked Ald. Wilson and Fiske for preparing an upcoming budget meeting. Also thanked Ald. Suffredin for producing a newsletter asking Northwestern to pay a fair share. Believes some of the items on the upcoming City Council agenda should have had their own separate meeting for discussion. Watch Karen Tollenaar Demorest Wanted to encourage City Council to give careful consideration and support to the non-profit and social services that exist in Evanston. Watch Mary Rosinski Inquired about the agreement for repayment for the Chiaravalle Montessori School Bonds. Watch Doreen Price Talked about affordable housing in relation to equity. Suggested creating a justice and equity board to facilitate the review of ordinances and it’s compliance in the city. Watch Mayor Hagerty requested a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Ald. Braithwaite called for the motion, with Ald. Simmons seconding that motion. Mayor Hagerty called a voice vote and with a vote of 7-0 the motion carried. Mayor Hagerty called the adjournment of the FY 2020 Proposed Budget Hearing​ ​at 9:30 a.m. Public Comment Ray Friedman Provided some questions he wished City Council would address pertaining to the city budget. Watch Michael Vasilko Questioned the amount of employees working for the City of Evanston. Said there would be problems if the proposed text amendment for Northwestern is approved. He said residents should be able to inspect the Gift Agreement from the institutions making gift pledges to the new Robert Crown Community Center. Watch Doreen Price Read key points from two articles speaking of affordable housing and wealth inequality. Watch Special Order of Business Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget Workshop Staff recommends that City Council discuss the FY 2020-21 Proposed Budget. For Discussion Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1: No Report Watch Ward 2: No Report Watch Ward 3: No Report Watch Ward 4: No Report Watch Ward 5: No Report Watch Ward 6: No Report Watch Ward 7: No Report Watch Ward 8: No Report 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.