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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1997THE EVANSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, January 23, 1997 Meeting Topic: City Parking Policy . C • •ri; :'iY:'S r4' Present: Ellen Schrodt, Chuck Remen, Bill Fischer, Ann Dienner, Terry Jenkins, Vicki McNulty Adermen: Ernie Jacobi, Art Newman Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. Mr. Perman referred to a synopsis of the City Manager's proposed 1997-98 City budget. Short-term meter rates and many fines would double under the proposal. Meter rates have not increased since 1986, fines were last changed in 1990. The City hopes to raise an additional $500,000 in fine revenue, which goes to the General Fund, and $550,000 in meter revenues, which goes to the Parking Fund. A $2,000,000 bond would be issued to cover the costs of renovating the Sherman Avenue garage. Mr. Fischer asked why the number of ticketed violations for expired meters declined from 102,000 in 1986 to 63,000 in 1996. Ald. Newman said enforcement has dropped and that in the interim years, the City began booting cars, a policy which has been an effective deterrent. Mr. Jenkins noted merchants need to know the City has done an excellent Job over the last six years in holding property taxes steady without cutting services. The City's share of the overall property tax levy as compared with the schools is not well understood. Current parking rates are below market level and can be increased, although a comprehensive signage program is needed to encourage garage parking. Employee meter -feeding is a major problem; perhaps as many as hundred workers engage in organized efforts to rotate cars in meters and sponge off chalk marks to avoid ticketing. Ms. Dienner said the City's tendency to relax zoning requirements for parking for new developments has contributed to the parking crunch. Mr. Perman noted certain developments such as the Chandler building, involve nighttime parking requirements, which can be met by available garage spaces. Aid. Newman said the cost of providing parking is very high for developers, who already face high property tax rates. The City must always balance the benefits of development against the costs. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, _ Jonathan Perman % Executive Director wms (i'PETHE EVANSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, February 23, 1997 Meeting Topic: City Parking Policy Present: Ellen Schrodt, Chuck Remen, Ann Dienner, Terry Jenkins, Larry Stanley, Tom Stafford, Bob Linn, Alex Sproul, Ruth Thiel, Joe Haughney, John Wertymer, Roger Crum, David Jennings, Rob Strom, Tom Erd, Paul Giddings, George Cyrus Aldermen: Ernie Jacobi, Art Newman, Emily Guthrie, Anny Heydemann Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m., George Cyrus, co-chairman, presiding. Mr. Jennings reviewed the proposals to double short-term meter rates and most parking fines. Mr. Perman pointed out the Parking Committee has approved an RFP to renovate the Sherman Avenue Garage. Aid. Guthrie said the initial reasoning behind the renovation was to increase parking supply, not to raise revenue, the linking of the two has clouded the issue. Mr. Giddings explained the Chicago/Dempster merchants are adamantly opposed to meter increases until they see improvements to art infrastructure that is the same as it was in the 1970s. Meter feeding fines shoule be increased to help with turnover, and the City must address the real problem, which is a citywide dearth of available parking. AId. Guthrie mentioned the Chicago/Dempster merchants police themselves as it relates to employee meter feeding. Mr. Perman said Evmark, The Chamber, and the City will be vigilant in discouraging meter feeding and will work harder to market existing parking. Mr. Sproul said the Main Street merchants are very nervous about meter increases and downtown merchants must be as well, given the number of vacancies. Focusing on short-term differences in treatment of neighborhoods is a mistake. Mr. Sproul questioned the wisdom of renovating a garage that is almost full every day. Aid. Newman said the elevators in the Sherman Avenue garage are untenable and there is perception of a tack of safety at night. Mr. Jenkins said while Evmark is not a cheerleader for rate increases, the overall context is important to consider. For six straight years, the City has not raised property taxes or cut services. A comprehensive downtown parking plan is imperative, complete with a broad communication effort. In the near term, a third parking garage probably will be necessary, and the relevant parties should step up to that discussion soon. MEWS Mr. Perman said the property tax is the most onerous tax, and the City should be commended for holding the line. Mr. Perman noted the City is proposing to take $283,000 of the parking tax out of the parking fund and put it in the general fund. Mr. Crum said fees should go to the relevant enterprise fund, while tax revenues belong in the general fund. Mr. Crum asked what the other merchant districts thought. Mr. Erd said Central Street merchants are more upset about doubled fines than doubled meter rates. The fine is like an insult; customers may not come back. The meeting was adjourned at 8.45 a.m. Respe oily submitted, nathan Perman Executive Director THE EVANSTON CHAMBER of COMMERCE . :.6 :�:'u r^+5 r..r _' r. •�,�^.ItPf'rY'.:h'I rl`:Il City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, March 27, 1997 Meeting Special Guesh State Representative Jeff Schoenberg (D-58) Present: Ellen Schrodt, Tom Stafford, Ruth Thiel, Joe Haughney, John Wertymer, George Cyrus, Bill Fischer, Eric Singer, Katie Bally, Elizabeth Tisdahl Aldermen: Ernie Jacobi Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating Mr. Perman introduced Rep. Schoenberg, who was recently promoted to chairman of the House General Services Committee of the Illinois General Assembly. Rep. Schoenberg explained his political philosophy is for spending policies in concert with taxing policies to facilitate sustainable growth which then allows for meeting pressing needs. Rep. Schoenberg said key issues this session are health care, school funding reform, electricity deregulation and economic development. Mr. Fischer asked if there will be an electricity deregulation bill this year. Rep Schoenberg said yes; a bipartisan commission may be necessary. The key is to prevent retail consumers from bearing a disproportionate burden. Aid. Jacobi asked if federal efforts might eclipse state legislation. Rep Schoenberg said maybe. Dr. Stafford said the corporatization of health care has presented many hazards, including the gag rule, which in certain cases prevents doctors from referring patients to specialists or informing patients of all their options. Rep. Schoenberg explained lie is cosponsoring the Managed Care Patients Rights Act. Gag rules would be prohibited, physicians would have to advocate for patients instead of corporate boards, but hyper -regulation would be avoided. Ms. Schrodt asked if Rep. Schoenberg supports the concept of a tax shift. Rep. Schoenberg said he is sympathetic to property owners, but is unsure the money would get to the schools and that local control could be kept. Mr. Cyrus said the income tax would be much more equitable. Mr. Fischer said Evanston must stop the flight of knowledge -based companies and break its dependency on property taxes. It creates an inward spiral within a self-defeating structure. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, E6nathan Perman Executive Director ff%IftS THE EVANSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE : '',' :;''J`1 f'6!9I.-m llalrM•.,r!a,;r_�.; .it.'�i3f5fQixs�mad ft.,watorp 1fWW%5c+:Xj E��`L]+7CCICdGaGom City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, April 24, 1997 Meeting Special Guest: Evanston Recycling Coordinator Nancy Burhop Present: Ellen Schrodt, Tom Stafford, George Cyrus, Eric Singer, Bob Linn, Chuck Remen, Nate Atkins, Lori Holz Aldermen: Art Newman, Steve Bernstein (Alderman -elect) Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating Ms. Burhop discussed the history of the Evanston Recycling Center, which began operations in 1989 and is still the only municipally -owned facility of its kind in Illinois. The Recycling Center processes office paper, corrugated cardboard, steel cans, high density plastics, glass, aluminum, and magazines, as well as 20 tons of newspaper per day (saving 340 trees). in 1989, the price for a ton of newsprint ranged from $7 to $10; in 1995, it shot up to $150 to $200; in 1997, it has come back down to $15 to $20. Ms. Burhop said recycling isn't always profitable, but there is a cost no matter what. Mr. Perman asked whether revenues are outpacing expenses at the margin. Ms. Burhop responded the Recycling Center has excess capacity to handle additional office paper, especially after a hauling contract with Browning -Ferris resulted in 2000 fewer tons per year of paper. Ms. Burhop said the cost per household for pickup is $2.95 per month, compared to a $1 surcharge added on to water bills. Mr. Singer asked if businesses could be included in pickup routes, instead of having to hire outside contractors who take the materials out of Evanston. Ms. Burhop said there is additional capacity on the trucks. Aid. Newman said he would like to see a study of the costs and benefits of adding commercial pickups. Aid. Newman said the Private Industry Council program, run in conjunction with the Recycling Center, has helped dramatically reduce the number of General Assistance cases that the Township must absorb. The Recycling Center needs to have one manager with control over marketing and operations. It doesn't always lose money; in 1995 a $500,000 profit was recorded. Mr. Keating noted the profit was due to a one-time price spike. Aid. Newman said it would be worth looking at the five-year record. The meeting was adjourned at 9.00 a.m. Respectful)y submitted, 4 Jonathan Perman Executive Director Wyms THE EVANSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "" "'' ' h V City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, May 22, 1997 Meeting Special Guest: Evanston Township Supervisor Betty Payne Present: Ellen Schrodt, Tom Stafford, Chuck Remen, Katie Bally, Bernadette Schleis Alderman: Steve Bernstein Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m., Alderman Steve Bernstein, co-chair, presiding. Aid. Bernstein introduced Evanston Township Supervisor Betty Payne. Ms. Payne explained she was originally appointed as Township Supervisor in 1991 and was reelected in 1993 and 1997. Evanston Township and the City of Evanston are coterminous; City Council members also act as Township Trustees. Ms. Payne said the main function of the Township is to provide General Assistance (GA) to Evanston residents who can't find a job and don't qualify for other programs. Clients receive $334 per month, $150 of which goes directly to the landlord. Clients are required to attend job club meetings and also benefit from GED classes, clerical skills training, and substance abuse treatment. The number of clients dropped from 300 in 1991 to 100 in 1993 and has stayed at or near 100. The return rate is ten to fifteen percent. The Township has two funds: the Town Fund and the GA Fund. By state statute, the maximum levy for the GA Fund is 1Io of the City's overall budget,1.57o for the Town Fund. The current levies are $250,000 for the Town Fund (well below the maximum) and $600,000 for the GA Fund. In past years, the maximum levy was sought and a surplus had accrued. The City now transfers $500,000 of the surplus into its own budget each year, but the surplus has shrunk to $1,000,000. Mr. Perman asked if The Township as a governmental entity was really an anachronism and whether it could be incorporated into the City, with the same staff and same services, but without a separate budget and separate status. Ms. Payne said social services are the first to be cut in a budget crunch; the separate status protects the programs of the Township. Aid. Bernstein said Ms. Payne has performed well and can deliver the services at least as efficiently as the City could. The distinction doesn't make a difference. The meeting was adjourned at 850 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jonathan Perman Executive Director WYFARS THE EVANSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .' 1 7'0'LIE r,.;:r 4 City -Chamber Committee Minutes of the Thursday, July 28, 1997 Meeting Special Guest: RTA Executive Director ,Richard Bacigalupo Present: Ellen Schrodt, Tom Stafford, Chuck Remen, Bernadette Schleis, George Cyrus, Ruth Thiel, Bob Linn, Ted Otto, Joe Haughney, Bonnie Wefler Alderman: Steve Bernstein Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Chris Keating ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m., George Cyrus, co-chair, presiding. Mr. Keating introduced Rick Bacigalupo, executive director of the Regional Transit Authority. Mr. Bacigalupo explained the RTA is a unit of local government consisting of a thirteen -member appointed board and supported mainly by sales tax revenues. In 1983, operations were spun off and the RTA became responsible only for financial oversight. The entire system, including, CTA, Metra, and Pace, supports 1.8 million riders per day. Mr. Bacigalupo said more work needs to be done on Evanston's CPA train stations. The system is old, with 757o of CTA viaducts over 80 years old. The system would need an immediate influx of $4.8 billion to make necessary capital improvements, only $1.6 billion is available now. The State of Illinois did not address the transportation funding issue in the spring but may look at it during the veto session. The transit system is especially vital for Evanston, and business depends heavily upon it. Mr. Linn expressed concern with the appearance of ugly 1-beams at rairoad bridges. Mr. Bacigalupo said they would like to rebuild viaducts but the money probably won't be there in the near future. Mr. Cyrus said a simple scrape -and -spray, though purely cosmetic, would make a big difference in image. Interest already exists in the community for such an idea. Mr. Perman said merchant districts could band together to "adopt -a -viaduct". Mr. Bacigalup said he would assist in pursuing the idea if significant community interest exists. Mr. Haughney asked about the viability of the Pace bus system. Mr. Bacigalupo said Pace is the 14th largest bus company in the country and has done well in suburbs like Evanston which have high population density. Pace also has a successful subscription service available to businesses. Pace struggles in lower density communities, but fortunately, planners are beginning to realize that growth and sprawl are not panaceas. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Z } Perman .16nalhan Executive Director Wms