HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 10 2017 cc
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER
JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, April 10, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Alderman Wilson Alderman Fiske
Alderman Holmes Alderman Braithwaite
Alderman Revelle Alderman Wynne
Alderman Rainey
Absent: Alderman Tendam, Alderman Miller arrived at 6:13 pm.
Presiding: Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl
Mayor Tisdahl called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:03 pm.
Mayor Public Announcements and Proclamations
National Public Library Week, April 9 – 15 was made by the Mayor who also
congratulated all the winners and thanked those who ran for municipal government.
City Manager Public Announcements
The City Manager had no announcements.
Communications: City Clerk
The City Clerk had no communications.
Public Comment
Madyln Ducre stated she was glad the election was over, but she wished the eth ics committee could have
been before the April 4th election and now the ethics committee is meeting on April 18th after the election
She stated there were a lot of comments, whether true or not, but people needed to know prior to voting.
The comments seemed to have touched everyone. The council needs to listen to the people and the time
for speaking should be more than the time that’s allotted. She finally thanked the council for all the work
they have done, but there has to be more.
City Council Agenda April 10, 2017 Page 2 of 4
Items not approved on Consent Agenda:
(APP1)For Appointment to:
Board of Ethics Karena Bierman
Board of Ethics Vincent Thomas, Jr.
Citizens' Police Advisory Committee James Gordon
Commission on Aging Mike Iverson
Commission on Aging Louise Love
Public Safety Civil Service Commission Lynne Sered
For Action
Board of Ethics Kelda Harris-Harty
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
(SP1) Payroll March 6, 2017 through March 19, 2017 $ 2,748,452.80
(SP2) City of Evanston Bills – April 11, 2017 $ 3,859,341.97
For Action
(SP3) Resolution 31-R-17, Designating the Portion of Dewey Avenue between
Crain Street and Greenleaf Street with the Honorary Street Name Sign,
“Gay Riseborough Way”
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Board recommend adoption of
Resolution 31-R-17, naming the portion of Dewey Avenue between Crain Street
and Greenleaf Street, with the honorary street name sign, “Gay Riseborough
Way”. Funds for the honorary street name sign program is budgeted in the Public
Works Agency, Infrastructure and Maintenance Bureau - Traffic Operations'
materials fund (Account 100.40.4520.65115). Three street signs are made for the
honoree. One sign is installed at each end of the designated one block area and
the third sign is given to the honoree. The approximate cost to creat e all three
signs is $200.
For Action
(APP2)For Reappointment to:
Mental Health Board Sandra Johnson
Public Safety Civil Service Commission Douglas Whitmore
For Action
Alderman Rainey motioned for approval with a second from Alderman
Braithwaite. With a Roll Call Vote the agenda passed with a 7 -0. Mayor Tisdahl
stated if these three appointees were not approved there would only be two
members of the committee and a quorum would not be available to meet. It was
suggested by Alderman Rainey to vote on the appointments and reappointments
before going forward. There was a vote to approve. Alderman Fiske stated these
appointments should be made by the new council because the M ayor was also
mentioned in the ethics comments. She believed it would be better for Mayor
City Council Agenda April 10, 2017 Page 3 of 4
Tisdahl not to appoint because of appearance of favoritism or conflict of interest
and it’s not going to hurt anyone. Alderman Holmes responded to Alderman
Fiske and stated she is very hurt, and the Mayor is the Mayor until May 8 th she
believes and will be functioning as that office as well as all of us. It is the duty of
the Mayor to appoint and everyone up here endorsed people and it is not
unethical to endorse people. Alderman Wilson stated there was a lot of social
media information that was not correct and perceptions were not true. His
inclination was to go ahead with the appointments so that we can go forward.
Alderman Rainey suggested to Alderman Fiske to withdraw her objections and
let it go to a vote. She also stated there was no justification to withhold the
reappointment of Kelda Harris-Harty, who has been serving for some time.
Alderman Wynne stated all of the people on the board of ethics are appointed by
the Mayor and approved by the full council. She also stated since the council
votes on the appointments, maybe none of us should vote becaus e we may
know someone to be appointed. She felt that Alderman Fiske’s argument doesn’t
hold water. Alderman Miller stated he agreed with Alderman Fiske because he
knows that one of the appointees was the campaign manager for one of the
candidates. He said he will be opposing this as well because we need a sound
ethics board. Alderman Braithwaite called for the question. The Mayor asked for
Roll Call vote on her motion to keep all three. Alderman Rainey motioned to
divide the vote, with a second from Alderman Braithwaite. Each appointee was
then voted on separately after a voice vote to go forward: 1) Karena Bierman
received 6-2 (Aldermen Miller & Fiske voted nay); 2) Vincent Thomas, Jr.
received 5-3 (Aldermen Rainey, Miller, Fiske voted nay); 3) Kaleda Harris-Harty
received 6-2 (Aldermen Miller & Fiske voted nay).
Items for discussion:
(APP1)For Appointment to:
Board of Ethics Karena Bierman (6-2)
Board of Ethics Vincent Thomas, Jr. (5-3)
Citizens' Police Advisory Committee James Gordon
Commission on Aging Mike Iverson
Commission on Aging Louise Love
Public Safety Civil Service Commission Lynne Sered
For Action
Board of Ethics Kelda Harris-Harty (6-2)
Call of the Wards:
Alderman Wilson, had no report.
Alderman Holmes had no report.
Alderman Revelle had no report.
City Council Agenda April 10, 2017 Page 4 of 4
Alderman Rainey reported the contract for was signed today, and she made a reference
to the parking committee for the Evanston residents to have first place in obtaining
parking spaces.
Alderman Miller had no report.
Alderman Fiske referred to the Rules committee to review the Board of Ethics.
Alderman Braithwaite had no report. This Thursday May 9th his ward meeting at D-65.
Alderman Wynne reported the daughter of a resident had been hit by a drone on the
playground. She made a reference to the Planning Committee concerning flying drones
around playground areas.
Mayor Tisdahl asked for a motion to adjourn and it was made by numerous Aldermen
with a second from Alderman Wilson. The meeting ended at 6:30 pm.
Submitted by,
Rodney Greene, MMC
City Clerk