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CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, May 20, 2013
Roll Call: Alderman Fiske Alderman Holmes
Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Tendam
Alderman Wynne Alderman Grover
Alderman Wilson Alderman Rainey
Absent: Alderman Burrus
Presiding: Mayor Elizabeth B. Tisdahl
The Regular Meeting of the City COUncil was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Mayor
Tisdahl on Monday, May 20, 2013 in the Council Chamber,
Mayor's Announcements and Proclamations
Mayor Tisdahl recognized Richard Weiland, president of Southeast Evanston
Association (SEA). He announced t-nat as part of their initiative and in the interest of a
greener Evanston, SEA's board has decided to fund the planting of a tree in each ward.
He then recognized SEA's vice president and board members and presented the Mayor
with a check for that fund. Alderman Grover and Mayor Tisdahl thanked SEA on behalf
of the City of Evanston.
To recognize employees with 25 years or more of service with the City, Mayor Tisdahl
called on City Manager Bobkiewicz who enlisted assistant city manager / director of
administrative services / chief financial officer Marty Lyons to make the presentations.
Congratulations to employees from the Community & Economic Development
Department, the Library, Public Works, Recreation & Community Services, Utilities
Department, Health Department and Police Department. In addition Mayor Tisdahl was
congratulated for her 10 years of service.
Mayor Tisdahl recognized Tiara Scctt, the 2013 National USAW Girls Folkstyle
Wrestling Champion.
Lastly, Mayor Tisdahl announced that May 20-27, 2013 is Public Works Week.
City Manager Public Announcements
City Manager Bobkiewicz called upon Godwin Chen, Local Government Management
Fellow whose employment with the City ended May 17. Mr. Bobkiewicz presented
Godwin with a Service Award and the Mayor and Council members thanked him for his
help on various tasks.
Communications: City Clerk
There were no announcements from the City Clerk's office.
Citizen Comment
Junad Rizki spoke about the budget in general and water in particular.
Betty Ester voiced her opinions regarding senior programs and services, the
amendment to the budget. She also voiced her concerns of racial profiling over a
statement made by Police Chief Eddington at a meeting. Alderman Rainey asked for
clarification of the accusation. Alderman Holmes explained that it was at a 5tn Ward
meeting where the Mayor and several aldermen were present and that the comment
Ms. Ester believed Chief Eddington made was in fact not made. Chief Eddington came
to the podium and summarized his original statement.
Hnetu Sais spoke about water and sewage damage to his home resulting from the
current rains and sewer problems. The cost of repair is quite high and he is concerned
that it will happen again.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
(SP1) New Initiatives for Evanston Senior Programs and Services
Staff requests that City Council receive a report about new initiatives for
Evanston senior programs and services. A presentation will be given at the City
Council meeting on May 20, 2013.
For Action
Christina Ferraro, senior services & Levy Center manager reported that she has
been tasked with researching new initiatives for Evanston's programs for seniors.
Part of the goal is to develop partnerships and collaborations with the senior
population. She updated Council on the project to -date and answered some
aldermen's questions.
(SP2) Public Works Special Pickup Program
Staff seeks direction from City Council to determine how best to handle special
pickups that have been categorized as fly dumps.
For Action
Jim Maiworm, assistant director of Facilities and Maintenance first reminded
everyone that since Monday, May-27 was Memorial Day, solid waste collection
and recycling would each be one day later for that week. He then gave an
overview of the special pickup program and how it relates to fly dumps. He and
Suzette Robinson, director of Public Works responded to comments and
questions from the aldermen.
(SP3) First Quarter Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2013
Staff recommends City Council accept and place the First Quarter Financial
Report for FY 2013 on file.
For Action
6/12/2013 2:33 PM
Marty Lyons, chief financial officer quickly reviewed the financial report for the
first three months of this year and clarified some figures under both revenue and
expenses.
(SP4) Resolution 33-R-13 Authorizinq 2013 Budqet and Capital Improvement Plan_
Amendment
Staff recommends approval -of Resolution 33-R-13 which authorizes the City
Manager to amend the FY 2013 Budget. The proposed amendment would
increase FY 2013 budgeted expenditures by $6,575,379 from $247,359,877 to
$253,935,256.
For Action
Alderman Rainey moved to approve the resolution, the motion was seconded.
She then asked Mr. Lyons to explain some of the debt service number as it
relates to taxing the Evanston taxpayer. Mr. Bobkiewicz asked if anything would
appear on the second tax bill later this year. Mr. Lyons responded that none of
this amendment would impact property taxes paid in 2013. He then continued to
explain other expenses that Council was concerned with.
Alderman Rainey stated she thinks the $2.2 million in Piven expenditures should
be removed since the Piven issue has not yet been resolved. Motion was made
and seconded to amend the amount to $4,375,379 for a final budget of
$251, 735, 256. Motion passes in roll call 8-0. Motion was made and seconded to
adopt the resolution. Motion passes 8-0.
(SP5) Ordinance 47-0-13; Amendinq the Zoninq Ordinance to Allow Commercial
Indoor Recreation as a Special Use in the 12 District
Staff recommends approval of ordinance 47-0-13 as amended and introduced by
City Council on April 22, 2013. The ordinance as amended retains the term
"Commercial" in the zoning use and definition for "Commercial Indoor
Recreation," as currently defined in Section 6-18-3 of the Zoning Ordinance. At
the May 13, 2013 City Council meeting this agenda item was held for the May 20,
2013 meeting.
For Action
City Manager Bobkiewicz explained that because Council had some concerns
with this item, clarification was needed from the law department. Staff
recommends this item come back to Council at their next meeting on May 28..
(SP6) 79th Citv Council- Planninq -and-Goal Settinq
Staff recommends that: 1) the City Council receive report on issues and projects
facing the City during the term of the 79th City Council; 2) select a date or dates
for further discussion of these issues and to develop plans and goals for the
future; and 3) provide other direction to the City Manager as appropriate.
For Action
City Manager Bobkiewicz congratulated Council and the Mayor on their re-
election to the 79th City Council. He then told them that he had thoughts about
issues facing the City of Evanston and would like to determine the next steps to
discuss those issues with them. He reported that senior management
(department directors and assistant directors) met several times to discuss
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the City. These are not the
6/12/2013 2:33 PM
community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats - these are city
government's. He asked Council to consider a special meeting in June with a
facilitator to lead the discussions. After some questions and comments, it was
determined that staff will schedule a meeting in June or July.
Mayor Tisdahl mentioned that Alderman Burrus was not in attendance because
she is on her honeymoon.
Call of the Wards
Ward 1 Alderman Fiske: she announced that the new developer (Northshore
Builders) for the new development at Kendal College will be attending the
Preservation Commission meeting on May 21 to introduce themselves.
Ward 2 Alderman Braithwaite: he thanked those
meeting the previous night including staff from the
apologized to Alderman Holmes for his meeting
meeting.
Ward 3 Alderman Wynne: no report
who came out to his ward
Public Works Dept. He also
conflicting with her ward
Ward-4 Alderman Wilson: there will be a ward meeting on the 22"d at 7:00 pm at
the YMCA.
Ward 5 Alderman Holmes: thanked those who came out tc her ward meeting and
the residents for their support in doing what it takes to make the community safe.
Ward 6 Alderman Tendam: no report
Ward 7 Alderman Grover: thanked neighbors of Torgeson Park for using their
labor and money to buy plant materials to make a garden at the park to honor a
deceased resident. Thanked Sat Nagar and Dave Stoneback for attending a
meeting about Prairie Ave. street resurfacing and sewer line projects. She
reminded all about the Recreation Huddle at ETHS on Saturday, June 15. She
asked that any contact information for any time of recreation group such as line
dancers or fencing programs, etc be given to her so invitations can be sent out.
Ward 8 Alderman Rainey: she announced that the Housing & Community
-Development Act Committee would not be meeting -the -next evening. She -
thanked SEA for the donated tree. She commended the neighbors and the
Evanston Police Department for their help in searching for and locating a sick,
elderly man visiting from Mexico who went missing from the neighborhood. She
also said that Jennifer from the Patch did an amazing job notifying and updating
everyone on the situation.
Being no further business, Alderman Wilson made a motion to convene into
executive session. All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Elaine Autwell, Deputy City Clerk
6/12/2013 2:33 PM
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