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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMinutes043018 ​CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, April 30th, 2018 Present: Alderman Fiske Alderman Rue Simmons Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Revelle Alderman Wynne Alderman Fleming Alderman Wilson Alderman Suffredin (8) Absent: (1) Alderman Rainey Presiding: Mayor Stephen Hagerty Devon Reid City Clerk Mayor’s Public Announcements Mayor Hagerty welcomed the Washington school Girl Scout Troops #409-39 who attended City Council for their civics curriculum to better understand how local government works. Watch City Manager’s Public Announcements City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced STAR Communities Recognition of City of Evanston’s 4-STAR Sustainable Community Recertification. Katherine Hurley, Sustainability Program Manager of the Argonne National Laboratory, presented a Plaque Award to Mayor Steve Hagerty in recognition of the recertification achievement. Watch City Clerk’s Communications City Clerk had no announcements. Watch Public Comment Dan Joseph Retired CTA employee who objects to planned bus service cuts for the 205, 208 and 213 buses Watch Junad Rizki Shared his disagreements with the mismanagement of city funds. Called the priority based budgeting a “smoke screen” to hide the real problems from the community. Asked City Council to look into the Council rules in regards to speakers giving their time to other speakers Watch Sue Loellbach Shared research that showed cities with comprehensive plans that include affordable housing are more likely to increase affordability in their communities and cities with affordable housing plans with strategies are more likely to use funds for affordability Watch Olympia Baldwin Edwards ETHS student that wants to see an increase in affordable housing for classmates and residents alike. Wants to see a plan that eliminates zoning that creates barriers to affordability, provides incentive to landlords to increase affordability and includes new strategies for affordability. Explained the benefits of affordable housing include giving people wellbeing, reach their full potential, decrease crime and keeps property values consistent. Watch Tim Russell Spoke about the pumping station and how the entire process was handled incorrectly. Asked for more consideration for residents of the 5th Ward who are now trapped between a pumping station and a garbage center. Watch Michael Donoroff Talked about zoning ordinances in Evanston systematically disadvantaged students, immigrants, young people and and low-income individuals in the city. The 3 unrelated rule is outdated and out of touch with reality and action must be taken by City Council to better fit the community. Watch Sarah Vanderwickin 1st Ward resident asked City Council to look at the plan development and revising it so that the provision of affordable housing is a greater public benefit. Asked that all Wards be considered when discussing affordable housing Watch Virginia Ayers Member of Interfaith Action of Evanston who is advocating for affordable housing in Evanston. On behalf of the Interfaith group she wants the committee responsible of affordable housing to meet soon to make affordable housing possible in Evanston Watch Misty Witenberg Explained that 2525 Church St was approved for the restoration and preservation of green space as an expanded park. Said the city cannot claim a municipal use exemption if it does not own the structure or water services are not provided to Evanston. Furthermore she spoke about unconfirmed remarks made by some City Council members, including Ald. Rainey and Ald. Simmons on social media. Demanded City Council take these actions seriously Watch Cecelia Wallin Shared her concerns about the changes of the CTA/PACE buses. These changes will significantly affect constituents, particularly those who have disabilities or impairments and rely on public transit. This will reduce the social opportunities for people with disabilities. Wants City Council to consider all members of the community who rely heavily on public transportation Watch Doug Sharp Wanted City Council to resume the meetings for the Inclusionary Housing sub-committee to update and approve the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Watch Patrick Donnelly Member of the Lakehouse group that shared his commitment to working on saving the Harley Clarke Mansion Watch Special Order of Business (SP1) ​Resolution 25-R-18, Supporting Direct Public Transportation Service to Evanston Township High School City Council adopted Resolution 25-R-18, supporting direct public transportation service to Evanston Township High School. For Action Passed 8-0 Watch (SP2) Affordable Housing Work Plan Updates Staff presents City Council with updates on the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Subcommittee, coach houses, the Landlord Rehabilitation Assistance Program, and the three-unrelated occupancy rule. For Action: Accept and Place on File Motion made to have discussion on the three related ordinance in the Planning & Development committee on May 14 Passed 8-0 Motion made to a Accept report and Place it on File Passed 8-0 Watch (SP3) ​Resolution 26-R-18, Execute Intergovernmental Agreement with Evanston Township High School District No. 202 City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Board of Education of the Evanston Township High School District No. 202. The IGA recognizes the mutual benefits to the City, ETHS and the community of the educational and housing program commonly known as Geometry In Construction (GIC) and memorializes the expectations and commitments of both parties to maintain the program going forward. For Action Passed 8-0 Watch (SP4) ​Expanding Accessory Dwelling Units to Address Housing Needs in Evanston Staff requests direction from City council regarding follow-up steps relating to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a strategy to expand housing choices and affordable housing in Evanston. At its meeting on January 29, City Council directed staff to revise current zoning to allow rental of existing coach houses as a first step. An ordinance to permit this was introduced at the April 23, 2018 meeting. Staff proposes undertaking a comprehensive review of how to expand ADUs to further address Evanston’s housing needs. Involving the Age Friendly Taskforce in this evaluation, as well as in community outreach and education, would provide valuable perspective regarding housing needs of seniors, including smaller accessible housing units, the ability to age in place, and avoiding displacement due to rising housing costs. For Action Motion made to refer to Planning and Development Committee Passed 8-0 Watch (SP5) ​Steps Toward Homeownership – Special Use for Small Lot Housing Staff recommends consideration of developing a Special Use process that would enable developers to propose the construction of modest-size homes on smaller lots than currently allowed by our zoning. This process would enable the development of “starter” homes affordable to first-time homebuyers and less affluent residents by reducing the land cost associated with the development of a single family home. It would also allow non-conforming parcels throughout our community that are currently undevelopable based on zoning to be put into productive use. For Action Motion made to refer to Planning and Development Committee Passed 8-0 Watch (SP6) ​Update on Priority Based Budgeting Process City Council accepted and placed on file the update on the priority based budgeting process and direct staff to move forward with the public outreach portion of the process. For Action: Accept and Place on File Passed 8-0 Watch Call of the Wards Ward 1: No Report Watch Ward 2: Thanked Rebuilding Together for the homes rebuilt in the 2nd, 5th and 7th Ward. Special thanks to Kinzie Group, Northwestern and others for the participation in the event. Another special acknowledgement to the Sergeant B. Williams snail post 71-86. Ald. Braithwaite joined the Mayor and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin as they celebrated the men and women that serve our country Watch Ward 3: On Thursday May 3rd office hours will be from 7:00-10:00 a.m. In the evening of May 3rd the first meeting of the Garden Park Renovation Plan at 7 pm at Lincoln school Watch Ward 4: No Report Watch Ward 5: No Report Watch Ward 6: No Report Watch Ward 7: Thanked Rebuilding Together for rebuilding the home of a resident of the 7th Ward 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.