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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2011-05-16-20111 1 City of Evanston, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER 2100 RIDGE AVENUE, EVANSTON 60201 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, May 16, 2011 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Alderman Burrus Alderman Holmes Alderman Fiske Alderman Tendam Alderman Braithwaite Alderman Grover Alderman Wynne Alderman Rainey Alderman Wilson Mayor Tisdahl called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:08 p.m. after Roll Call. Mavor Proclamations and Public Announcements Mayor Tisdahl read a Proclamation for National Public Works Week, to be May 15-21. She then presented the Proclamation to Ms. Suzette Robinson, Director of Public Works. The Mayor's second Proclamation was to announced the month of May 2011 as National Preservation Month, and presented the Proclamation to Mr. Carlos Ruiz. Mr. Gary Shoemaker, Present Chair of the Evanston Preservation Commission, then came forward to name the winners of the 2011 Preservation and Design Awards. He first thanked the jurors for their time in judging and finally picking the winners. These were the following categories and winners: Proper Rehabilitation/Alteration: 2100 Ridge- Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center Adaptive Reuse: 1601, 1607 and 1611 Simpson Street Sensitive Addition: Sensitive Addition/Alteration: Proper Rehabilitation/Restoration Mary Perkins Award for Restoration: Mary Perkins Award for New Construction 1228 Florence Avenue 2305 Hartrey Avenue 2448 Lincolnwood Drive 2205 Sherman Avenue 721 University Place 1334 Hinman Avenue 1143 Forest Avenue 1702 Chicago Avenue 1881 Sheridan Road - Harris Hall 1461 —1467 Ashland Avenue Page 2 of 7 Citv Manager Presentations and Announcements: City Manager Bobkiewicz asked Mr. Stoneback, Director of Utilities to come forward to talk about the Water Quality Certification Report. He reported the lab has received "0" deviation for the third consecutive time, and he introduced the City's Chemist Eleanore Meade and Microbiologist Al Diaz-Mazarredo. Mr. Stoneback also responded to Mr. Bobkiewicz's inquiry by stating the City of Evanston is the only Municipality in Illinois who has received the "0" deviation award three times in a row. City Manager Bobkiewicz then asked the Council if they were aware of the fire that occurred at the water plant, in connection with the power outage that had occurred. He asked Mr. Stoneback to comment on the incident. Mr. Stoneback stated two of the feeders that supply electricity to the water plant went out concurrently, which resulted in an explosion and a fire in the switch gear. There were multiple damages that now need to be cleaned, and restored before being placed back into operation. His staff arrived at the plant at 6:00 a.m. and worked for twelve hours checking out all of the functioning parts. He also stated all the proper procedures were initiated and the plant was covered through its insurance policy. The City Manager praised Mr. Stoneback and his staff for the quick response and handling of the incident. Citizen Comment The following persons spoke on the Budget Mike Vasilko, 2728 Reese stated he was hopeful the suggested list would not be an official referendum. He also spoke of the debt status and suggested the City to focus on suggestions for debt reduction immediately. Junad Rizki, 2262 Ridge Ave. asked the Council to override the Mayor's decision to not allow a business to come to the City, that would create over One Hundred -Fifty jobs. He also questioned the City's Capital Plan procedures and the crime in the streets. Kevin O'Connor, 1227 Y2 Isabella, suggested that a more central location for the proposed Salt Dome would be more advantageous. He wanted to know if any of the awards tonight involved tax dollars or tax breaks. He also questioned the procedures used in keeping or bringing businesses to Evanston. Salt Dome speakers: Muffy McCulley, 830 Madison spoke of her concerns of the suggested placement of the Salt Dome/Barns and she was against the Ashland/Noyes Street possible location because of automobile traffic as well as children going to and from Haven School. 1 1 1 Page 3 of 7 SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS (SP1) Presentation and Discussion of Salt Dome Issues Staff recommends that City Council receive the updated salt dome report and staff requests City Council approval of the salt dome style and location or short list of locations for final consideration. For Action Ms. Suzette Robinson, Director of Public Works answered a question from Alderman Rainey concerning the purchase and storage of the Salt by stating, "The City purchases and store salt for Northwestern, Districts 65 and 202, to the tune of 1000 tons/year between the three of them and the three entities come with their trucks and the City load the trucks with salt". She gave a location report of the current Salt Dome and stated it was over twenty -years old and in a dilapidated condition. The reasons she presented for the proposal of relocation and building were as follows: • Leaks in the concrete ceiling • The small capacity for storage • Need a capacity of at least 4,000 tons (Des Plaines built one) • Need new technological improvements • To comply with land use and zoning • To use a Gambrel style • Need to have an adjacent primary route for trucks • Need to be centrally located • Need adequate drainage • Amenities included: a) In -door and or covered storage b) Salt brine production equipment c) Overhead liquid deicing capability She also stated there maybe possible partnerships with other municipalities such as Skokie, Morton Grove. Staffs recommendation was for the Gambrel style. Alderman Wynne wanted to know the size of the proposed domes and requested they be sent to the Council. Ms. Robinson stated previously they had looked at 2424 Oakton, Northshore Towing, and the Junkyard Lot. The following are the location options that were presented wuth the foot print size of 150' X 200': • Ryan Stadium Parking Lot • Former City Compost Site (James Park) • Open Space at Ashland and Noyes owned by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) • Open Space North of District 65 Headquarters (owned by MWRD) Alderman Holmes asked if any of the neighbors in the areas had been contacted. Ms. Robinson replied saying once direction was given by Council the affected neighborhoods would be contacted. Page 4 of 7 Alderman Fiske had an ecological concern of salt leaching out from the concrete floor into the soil and water. Ms. Robinson stated they would look into the ecological issues at all of the possible sites. Alderman Rainey stated since Northwestern, Districts 65 and 202, share in the salt dome now the City already has partners. She then asked about Winnetka as being a partner and suggested to talk to them as well. Alderman Rainey also suggested another possible site at the western end of the Jewell on Howard in Skokie, and that site is also owned by MWRD. Ms. Robinson stated the area is very congested, but they will look into the possibility. The final piece of the report was the total cost for the Salt Dome which had three options: a) Dome style with Brine/Blending (B&B) Equipment $ 718,500.00 b) Center -End drive thru with B&B Equipment (60'x128') $ 947,982.5a c) Center -Center drive thru with B&B Equipment (70'x128') $1,011,527.50 Mayor Tisdahl asked if she had completed her report and her answer was yes. She then asked if Ms. Robinson just needed direction from the Council. Mr. Bobkiewicz answered and said the most important issue is location and would like some feedback from the Council, and should keep both structural styles in play for now. Alderman Grover asked: • What is overhead liquid deicing? Ms. Robinson stated it was a sprayer system in the top of the Salt Dome that sprays a liquid on the salt to pre wet the salt which allows the salt to stick to the ground. • How old is Skokie's Salt Dome, and where was it built? Ms. Robinson stated it was off Gross Point just south of Church Street on their facility. • Did they not feel the need to add overhead deicing or brine? Ms. Robinson stated no they did not add those items. • Do they come to us? Ms. Robinson said they come to us for the geo-melt and bought the salt brine last year through a distributor. Alderman Wynne stated of the two styles she believed the Gambrel was the better choice, but she does not like any of the proposed locations and agrees to go with Alderman Rainey's suggestion. After a few more questions from the Aldermen and answers from Ms. Robinson the final decision was not to accept any of the proposed locations, and to review the site Alderman Rainey suggested as well as looking outside of the City of Evanston and then do a further community outreach within the next six months. (SP2) Safetv Update Staff recommends consideration of a status report on implementation on the City Council's goal regarding safety. The report will be provided at the May 16, 2011 Special City Council meeting. Page 5 of 7 For Discussion Chief Richard Eddington came forward to give a report complimenting the men and women of the Evanston Police Department. The Chief recognized Officers Noble, Rust and Jones as the Officers of the year, for their work in the 1900 block of Jackson. The Chief had divided his report into three categories: 1. Traffic — Trying to make Evanston a safer more walk able City by focusing on the following: • Cell phone citations • Pedestrian crossing violations • School zone citations 2. Crime Suppression • Deployment Strategies Meetings (Cops on Dots) a) Preventing past patterns b) Preventing future incidents before they are entrenched in the neighborhoods c) Early recognition of patterns 3. Order Maintenance • Large red dots on his chart equals man with a gun that also shows a decline since 2008) • 247 in 2008 • 207 in 2009 • 180 in 2010 • Year to date only 43 incidents of man with a gun The only problem they encounter when answering these types of calls is they may find shell casings, damaged property from bullet shots, but will not find participants. Summer Plan The plan usually runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day with a shift running from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. • In 2010 they staffed One Hundred Seven shifts at the cost of $47,000.00. • This year anticipating staffing 128 shifts at the cost of $57,000.00. • Eighty-four shifts are funded with City funds, and • Forty-four are funded by funds by the Cook County Judiciary Grant. • They will be focusing on the hot spots • Added five Officers from the Problem -Solving Team • Increased the Foot -Patrols • Curfew Ordinances have made a marked impact on youth crime and victimization • Truancy Ordinances will also assist on helping instead of punishing Chief Eddington stated "we are very good at solving crimes, but we are not to good at fixing community problems. We need community commitment to do that" In response to Alderman Fiske's questions, Chief Eddington stated when curfew is broken: • The child goes to the station, • Parent or guardian is called Page 6 of 7 1 • Then a date to appear in front of a Judge here in Adjudication to explain their reason for breaking curfew. • It is best when the parent comes with the child to Adjudication • The parents are notified • If a parent/guardian does not come to pick up their child it becomes an expensive babysitting service (SP3) FY2012 Budget Issues and Communitv Priorities Staff recommends City Council consideration of the FY2012 Budget issues and discussion of community priorities. For Action City Manager Bobkiewicz gave his report and made the following statements: • Trying to bridge the deficit gap of 1.4 million dollars for January 1, 2012 • 3.2 million dollars January 2013 • Shifting 2 million dollars from the Operating Budget to Capital Improvements • 4.0 million dollars January 2012 with these additional fund shifts • 5.2 million dollars January 2013 • Received a list of 175 responses from the community involvement initiative • To evaluate all Municipal Services by Community Priorities The three main areas of the Strategic Plan were: 1. Economic Viability 2. Environmental Sustainability 3. Strengthen the Community He also said they had to look at the City Council goals to see if these changes supported the Council's goals. He then stated they added two more goals that they felt would encompass the goals of the Council, which would make the Strategic Plan a total of five with the following: 4. City Council's goals 5. Safe Community He also presented his proposed Service Change Ideas and the Project Assignments he was proposing tonight. If deciding to contract out services the City must be able to compare apples to apples as well as making sure the efficiencies are adequate, as stated by the City Manager. Aldermen's concerns with the Proposal : 1. Reclassification and collective bargaining 2. Paying for Crossing Guards 3. Property Tax Exemption Involvement 4. Affordable Housing/Emergency Taxes and Fees if affecting construction 5. Demolition Tax of the City 6. Possible Administration of the Township Emergency Funds 7. Contracting out Professional Services analysis 8. Evaluation of Administrated costs plus personnel 9. Tennant Leases at the Noyes Center Page 7 of 7 1 10. Lack of efficient use of space in the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center 11. Bank of America's $12,000,000.00 purchase of the Dempster Dodge Shopping Center 12. Foreclosure Sales Legislation City Manager Bobkiewicz suggested to forgo with the $100.00 spending survey that was given to the community at large due to it only represented a small section of the City. 13. Solicitation from staff of ideas to save funds City Manager stated if the State does another 2 million dollar hit, he will then have to reduce Police and Fire Services as well as additional ones to what is proposed tonight. He announced the following schedule: • Come back August 8th to the Council with further information • Go back to the community at the end of August and through September • First part of October will present a proposed 2012 budget • Continue with previous budget hearings • Have a completed budget by Thanksgiving Alderman Wilson motioned for the Council to convene to an Executive Session to discuss Real Estate. There was a 9-0 vote to approve the motion. The Special Meeting ended at 10:08 p.m. Hon. Rodney Greene City Clerk 1 1 1 �1