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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2009-11-09-20092� November 9, 2009 EV1q 1 1 • ROLL CALL — PRESENT: Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Grover Alderman Wynne Alderman Rainey Alderman Wilson Alderman Burrus Alderman Holmes Alderman Fiske Alderman Tendam A quorum was present PRESIDING: Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl The official REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order at 8:40 pm on Monday, November 9, 2009 in Council Chamber of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center. MAYORAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Tisdahl announced that she had been asked by David Agnew, deputy director of the White House office of intergovernmental affairs to give her views on healthcare legislation. She stated she supports the healthcare legislation for multiple reasons. She thinks it is essential that this country provide healthcare for all citizens. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz mentioned that property tax bills have started arriving in mailboxes and that there have been questions about the property tax levy, especially the levies associated with Evanston. He called upon Marty Lyons, assistant city manager to discuss this issue. Mr. Lyons noted that in the recent weeks there have been several communications in the press as well as items on agendas, separate communications referencing the school levy, City levy and how it came to fruition during this most recent tax bill. He stated that it would appear that even though we went through our budget process in February with no increase in our budget, it did not come through on this tax bill, that it is in our levy being done this evening and in effect would not show up until next December when tax bills are out. This combined with some news about assessments produced by all of the press about 8-11% increases in tax bills. Information about the tax levies as well as the memorandum sent separately is included in this meeting's packet. Mr. Lyons offered to answer any questions about the timing of our tax levy process that is also outlined in the Manager's 90-day report No questions were asked. 11?a November 9, 2009 Next, Evonda Thomas, director.of Health & Human Services was asked to report on the H1N1 public clinic held on Saturday. Ms. Thomas stated that Evanston's Health & Human Services Department implemented its first mass H1N1 vaccination clinics. They completed school -based clinics at District 65, private schools, day care centers and the first community clinic at Evanston Township High School this past weekend. With assistance of dedicated Health & Human Services staff taking the lead, partnering with police, fire, emergency management, community emergency response teams (CERT) and a host of volunteers, 4,157 constituents were vaccinated in a total of six (6) days. She said however, that there is still more to do. We are hosting nine (9) school -based clinics between now and next Monday including Evanston Township High School and their population. The locations are listed per day on our website. She stated that we received only two (2) shipments of vaccine and we are working diligently with the State of Illinois to get more. She reminded everyone that until the vaccine is widely distributed, specific groups of people have been prioritized to receive the vaccine - pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical service personnel, people aged 6 months and 24 years, & people 24-64 years of age with compromised immune systems. Each week, additional supplies of the vaccine will be received until there is enough to vaccinate anyone who wants to be vaccinated. When more becomes available, information on where to get the vaccine will be posted on the City's website. Ms. Thomas also reiterated that getting the flu can be prevented by following 3 steps: get the. seasonal flu shot, get the HIN1 shot when available and practicing the 3 "C's": clean your hands, cover your cough and contain yourself if you become ill. Doug Gaynor, director, Parks/Recreation/Forestry reported that the Veteran's Day ceremony will be held on Wednesday morning, November 11 at Fountain Square. Assembly will begin at 10:00 am followed by a ceremony at 10:30. There will be non- denominational reflections, singing, and remarks from leaders of local veteran's groups including Evanston's American Legion Post 42. The Mayor will also be in attendance. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will kick off the holiday season at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, November 24 at Fountain Square. This year's tree was donated by Evanston residents John & Jane Bayldon and the crane used to install the tree was donated by Sunrise Tree Service of Hawthorne Woods. The celebration includes holiday carols from the Music Institute of Chicago. Caroline Dellutri, executive director of Downtown Evanston then asked community residents to bring non-perishable food items to the reception being held at the Rotary International headquarters cafeteria on the night of the lighting ceremony. Collections are for Connections for the Homeless. Ms. Dellutri also mentioned the flyer at the front door of the Civic Center is being distributed throughout the community with information on the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on one side and information on Free Parking in Downtown Evanston on the other side. Free parking will start Thanksgiving and continue through the holidays, 2 2`�' November 9, 2009 weekdays from 5:00 pm to midnight and all day Saturday and Sunday. There will also be posters and advertising throughout the CTA, Metra and newspaper publications through the holidays. Ms. Dellutri continued with the announcement that EVMARK is starting something new in welcoming new businesses to Evanston. She wanted to invite the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of The Ultimate Chicken Bar located at 1739 Sherman Avenue on Friday, November 13. Mayor Tisdahl will be there to officiate. She finished with the announcement that the EVMARK Board of Directors public meeting will be held on November 19th at 3:30 pm at the Evanston Public Library and the public is welcome. Mr. Gaynor then announced that in addition to the tree lighting ceremony, Rabbi Klein will light a menorah on December 14th at 5:30 pm in Fountain Square. He also stated that the first day of the Kwanza celebration will begin with a community gathering at Fountain Square at 5:30 on Saturday, December 26. In addition to the traditional lighting, there will also be music, song and reflection. All are welcome. City Manager Bobkiewiez reminded everyone that the ongoing community budget process began with a very successful first budget workshop on Saturday with over seventy Evanston residents in attendance and lasted about four hours. It will be re- broadcast on Channel 16 with details, on rebroadcasts coming soon plus all the other additional workshops available on our website. The next community workshops will be on Thursday November 12th at the Robert Crown Center at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, November 17th from 7:00 pm -10:00 pm at Fleetwood Jordain, and concluding on Monday, November 30 from 7:00 pm - 10 pm in Council Chambers at the Civic Center. The City Manager had two additional items: each alderman received a tee shirt depicting the City's United Way Campaign slogan, Live United. He hopes to involve all city employees in raising money for the United Way of the North Shore. Mr. Bobkiewicz concluded since the downtown plan recently passed and has now been put in place, zoning amendments are required to implement that plan. He called on Dennis Marino for an update. Dennis Marino reported that the zoning committee of the Plan Commission has started working on zoning recommendations that were included in the downtown plan adopted the first quarter of this year. Two meetings are scheduled: November 11 and November 18 in room 2200 of the Civic Center. In addition, zoning staff has worked with the Plan Commission to map out a tentative schedule into February. Quite a bit of work is needed in terms of zoning recommendations. He explained that the way the process works is that after Council adopted the downtown plan the next step is for the Plan Commission and its Zoning Committee to take a look at all zoning recommendations similar to what was done with the West Evanston Plan and Central Street Plan. Recommendations would then 0�r November 9, 2009 be made back to the Plan Commission and then to the Planning & Development Committee in February or March. The November 23 Planning & Development meeting will produce a detailed staff memo explaining the process and summarizing a number of items being looked at. COMMUNICATIONS: None City Manager Bobkiewicz reported on his first 90 days as City Manager. He noted that he spoke to a number of employees and community members; that five questions were posed and he gave a brief overview of their responses; he spoke of his initial observations and finally, his work -plan. Mr. Bobkiewicz then thanked the Mayor for allowing he and his wife to come to Evanston and serve as the City Manager. City Council's goal dealing with Affordable Housing. The Planning & Development Committee received a report from the Affordable Housing Task Force and staff has identified several issues. He ran through a list of Task Force recommendations, staff identified issues, and the next steps. The final step being a recommendation to direct staff to draft a work -plan to present to Council at their January 10, 2010 meeting or any other direction City Council deems appropriate. Alderman Rainey commented on how overwhelmed she continues to be with the City Manager's involvement, commitment, and participation and how hard it is to follow anything he does. She suggested that instead of staff coming forward with a plan and Council reacting to that, a special meeting should be held so that aldermen, who are involved with the various issues, come up with a plan. She feels that they are the ones out there hearing things that are important to contribute to the overall plan. Perhaps there should be a City Council round -table to initiate discussion on the issue. Alderman Wilson agreed with Alderman Rainey. He said hours can be spent discussing issues. It would be more practical to have a special meeting. Alderman Burrus echoed Aldermen Rainey and Wilson. She thinks a special meeting seems appropriate to get an in-depth idea of what the Task Force did. There are fabulous recommendations and there is a need to take time to look at what they did and what staff has presented. Alderman Jean -Baptiste says the problem he has with some approaches is that it seems that we approach some of these problems as if we started from scratch. He asks what plans do we already have? We have been talking about this for long periods of time — particularly the foreclosure crisis. Who do we know that is in foreclose and have we been in touch? Have we followed up? What programs do we have in place? We are supposed to have these 6, 7 or 8 months ago. I join the others in calling for more intense discussion. The Mayor reminded everyone that the discussions might be very different depending on whether we get the federal government grant. That maybe we should hold off having 0 2:5 November 9, 2009 those discussions until the government makes up their mind. We should know early December so we might want to have those discussions in mid December. Alderman Rainey asked the Mayor to explain what she is talking about for those who are not familiar with the grant. Mayor Tisdahl explained that according to Senator Durbin, we have applied for a grant through Housing and Urban Development as part of the stimulus package, (the thought being that large grant applications would make a significant difference in a community), for $40 million, to buy foreclosed, boarded -up properties, rehab them and sell them for affordable housing or keep them and use and maintain for affordable rental. She also stated that Senator Durbin, Senator Burris and Congresswoman Shakowsky are all working to help us. Mayor Tisdahl recognized the City Manager who then asked Mayor Tisdahl if she wanted a special meeting and if she wanted to schedule that meeting this evening. He then announced that there would be a special meeting of the City Council on December 7th and the regular meeting on December 14. Alderman Jean -Baptiste then asked that we not schedule this item for that meeting on December7th. That the meeting be only to hear a report on the budget and to spend some time addressing affordable housing. He thought Mayor Tisdahl wanted to wait to get a response from the government and Mayor Tisdahl stated that she doesn't believe in waiting to hear from the government because it could take a lifetime. Alderman Baptiste moved to have the December 7tr meeting for a report on the budget and to spend some time addressing affordable housing. It was seconded. Alderman Holmes suggested we should not overlook the idea of having some input from staff as well as the Task Force. She would like that to happen. Alderman Tendam commented that when Aldermen Rainey and Burrus started talking about the format it appealed to him as a more casual, roundtable, faster exchange of ideas but he is worried that having the meeting in tandum with a scheduled meeting with another scheduled agenda item would keep the meeting at a more formal Council level and not an interactive and comprehensive discussion that could be had at another time. Alderman Burrus suggested that since the Rules Committee cancelled their meeting the night of the 7th, the start of this new meeting could be earlier. All in favor. No nays. Mr. Bobkiewicz asked to clarify the format in that the start of the special meeting on the 7th would be 6:00 pm and asked the Mayor if she would like to have any presentation on the subject or have it open to discussion and use the computer to take notes. 5 _�4 November 9, 2009 After some discussion back and forth between Alderman Jean -Baptiste and City Manager Bobkiewicz about the specifics of the meeting content, it was determined that affordable housing would go first on the agenda to be followed by the budget report. Alderman Rainey then expressed her concern about citizen participation and the budget process. She doesn't want to place them second to anything and feels that budget should go first. Motion was made and seconded to start with the budget. CITIZEN COMMENT Susan Cooney, 1834 Wesley Ave., representing Four Seasons Gardens Club of Evanston to talk about Veterans' Day memorial services. She reminded us that over the years, the Garden Club in Evanston dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Monument in Patriots' Park to recognize those who have served and are serving in our armed forces, dedicated a bench in Patriots' Park honoring Allen `Bo" Price and his wife for their service to veterans and the young people of Evanston and celebrated the re -dedication of the DAR Memorial Flag Pole. In addition, they paid for the planting of twin oaks representing the city and community working together. She informed us since daffodils in the language of flowers say "regard" and "respect", they invite City leaders and others to plant daffodils every Veterans' Day and to think about what service in any capacity means when they bloom in May. Paul Selden, 1235 Maple, as executive director of Connections for the Homeless, he thanked the city for using the tree lighting ceremony as an opportunity to collect canned goods for them. He originally wanted to comment on ideas that were going to be expressed on affordable housing but since that was tabled he had nothing to say about that. Instead he commented on discussions at Planning & Development Committee meeting earlier that night. There were two strategies: one being Habitat for Humanity coming into Evanston and the other about down payment assistance for housing — both of which are really about homeownership and making housing affordable to moderate income people being priced out of the City. He would like Council and the Task Force, when considering appropriate strategies, to think about the other half of Evanston's population — the rental population, and to focus on a set of strategies to make housing more affordable ITEMS REMOVED FROM AGENDA (M2) Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 26, 2009 (A3.2) Approval of Contract with Total Buildine Services for Janitorial Services at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, Main Library and Service Center (RFP 10-51) Recommend approval of a three year contract in .response to RFP 10-51 for janitorial services at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, Main Library, and Service Center with Total Building Services (340 Bennett Road, Elk IN November 9, 2009 Grove Village, IL) in the amount of $152,040.00 per year. Funding provided by the approved operating budgets of the Civic Center, Main Library,' and Service Center. The 2009-10 approved budget for the Civic Center, Main Library and Service Center was $162,707.00. (A3.3) Approval of Contract with Nationwide Cleaning Co. for Janitorial Services at the Police Headquarters, Police Outpost, and Fire Headquarters (RFP 10-51) .Recommend approval of a three year contract in response to RFP 10-51 for janitorial services at the Police Headquarters, Police Outpost, and Fire Headquarters with Nationwide Cleaning Co (615 Wheat Lane, Wood Dale, IL) in the amount of $45,342.24 per year. Funding provided by the approved operating budgets of the Police Headquarters, Police Outpost, and Fire Headquarters. The 2009 approved combined budget for these three buildings was $48,996.00. (A4) Approval of Change Orders #6 and #7 for the Evanston Water Utility Expansion and Renovations (Bid 07-46) Recommend approval of Change Orders #6 & #7 for the Evanston Water Utility Expansion and Renovations contract (Bid No. 07-46) with Scale Construction (2101 S. Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL) for providing additional work related to the east office expansion and resolve the Contractor's request for a time extension and additional compensation. Change order #6 will increase the contract amount by $12,378.00, from $2,537,960.00 to S2,550,338.00. Change order #7 will increase the contract amount by $75,000.00 from $2,550,338.00 to $2,625,338.00 and establish the final contract completion date as November 9, 2009. Funding is provided by the Water Depreciation, Improvement, & Extension Account. (A6) Resolution 73-R-09 Authorizing the City .Manager to Execute a Local Agencv Agreement and Construction Engineering Services Agreement for the Evanston Lakefront Corridor Reconstruction Proiect Consideration of proposed resolution 73-R-09 authorizing the City Manager to sign a Local Agency Agreement with IDOT and Construction Engineering Services Agreement with AECOM for federal participation of the construction cost for the Evanston Lakefront Corridor Reconstruction Project. AECOM is located at 303 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60601. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,786,880.45 of which approximately $1,061,904 will be federally funded and $724,976.45 will be CIP funded. AECOM's phase 3 engineering services will be $96,880.45 ($77,504 federal, $19,376.45 CIP). For Action (A10) Ordinance 109-0-09: 2009 Evanston Township Tax Levy Consideration of proposed ordinance 109-0-09 annual property tax levy for Evanston Township. For Introduction 7 M November 9, 2009 (111) Evanston Township October 2009 Bills List Recommend approval of the Evanston Township bills, payroll, and medical payments for the month of October 2009 in the amount of $100,753.68. For Action ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA (Al)* City of Evanston Payroll through 10/25/09 $2,424,504.63 (A2)* City of Evanston Bills through 11/10/09 $4,089,534.37 (A3.1)*Approval of a Contract for Hvdraulic Modeling Services for the Evanston Water Distribution Svstem Model (RFP 10-65) Recommend approval of a three-year contract for Hydraulic Modeling Services for the Evanston water distribution system model to MWH Americas, Inc. (175 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL) not -to - exceed $32,000.00/year for a total not -to -exceed price of $96,000. Funding provided from the Water Fund. (A3.4)*Approval of the Civic Center Committee's Recommendation Regarding the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center Proiect Recommend approval of the recommendations of the Civic Center Committee as presented at their September 2009 meeting regarding the repairs of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, and direct staff to move forward with the recommendations, which include: removal and replacement of the existing slate roof with asphalt shingles; removal of the ACM pipe insulation in the ceiling of the ground floor; and encapsulation of the ACM floor tile with carpet tiles: Funding provided by the Capital Improvement Program. (A3.5)*Approval of Lowest Responsive and Responsible Proposal for Purchase of Auto Bodv and Collision Repair Service (10-70) Recommend approval of the lowest responsive and responsible proposal (10- 70) for Auto Body and Collision Repair Service for car and light, medium, and heavy trucks in the amount of $68,175 to Sigler's Autobody, Inc. (7445 Channel Road, Skokie, IL) for the period of November 15, 2009 through November 14, 2010. Recommend approval of the lowest responsive and responsible proposal (10-70) for Auto Body and Collision Repair Service for heavy fire apparatus in the amount of $22,725 to Renewed Performance, Inc. (1095 Development Drive, Tipton, IN) for the period of November 15, 2009 through November 14, 2010. Fiscal Year budget for 2009-2010 for Auto Body and Collision Repair Service is $89,900. Funding provided by the Fleet Services Fund for Major Maintenance. 1 1 1 4- i November 9, 2009 1 (A3.6)*Award of Contracts for 2009-2010 Winter Snow Towing Recommend approval of award of contract(s) for Snow Towing Services. Various companies will be approved in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00. Funding provided by the Snow and Ice Control General Fund. (A5)* Resolution 87-R-09 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Settlement Agreement with Scale Construction Inc. Consideration of proposed resolution 87-R-09 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Settlement Agreement with Scale Construction Inc. related to the Evanston Water Utility and Renovations project. For Action (A7)* Ordinance 101-0-09 Amending Title 3, "Business Regulation," Chapter 2., "Municipal Occupation Taxes," Section 3, Foreign Fire Insurance Companies Tax Ordinance 101-0-09 modifies the composition of the Foreign Fire Tax Board to reflect the changes to Public Act 95-0505 signed into law on August 14, 2009. For Introduction (A8)* Ordinance 107-0-09: 2009 City of Evanston Tax Lew Consideration of proposed ordinance 107-0-09 annual City of Evanston property tax levy for General Fund, Police Pension Fund, and Fire Pension Fund. For Introduction (A9)* Ordinance 108-0-09: 2009 Special Service Area #4 Tax Levv Consideration of proposed ordinance 108-0-09 annual City of Evanston property tax levy for Special Service Area #4 (SSA#4) taxing district in the central business district. For Introduction PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (P1)* Ordinance 105-0-09 Rescinding the Evanston Landmark Designation for the Property Located at 1819 Dodge Avenue Consideration of ordinance 105-0-09 rescinding the Evanston Landmark Designation for the property located at 1819 Dodge Avenue and removing it from Schedule B of the Preservation Ordinance. The Preservation Commission recommends approval. For Introduction E 36 November 9, 2009 (P2)* Request for Council Approval to Submit an Application to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agencv for Funding to Resurvey the Citv's Evanston Lakeshore Historic District The Preservation Commission requests authorization of the City Council for the submission of a Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants -in -Aid application to survey one half of the Lakeshore Historic District. (See map.) The grant total amount is $22,560. The City's contribution is 30% or $6,768. Phase One of the survey will include approximately 376 primary structures with their corresponding accessory structures. The Preservation Commission recommends approval to submit the application by 11/30/09. For Action (P3)* Request Approval of a One -Year Extension of the Expiration for the 631-749 Chicago Avenue (AMLI) Approved Planned Development (Ordinance 103- 0-08) to December 8, 2010 to Obtain a Building Permit Consideration of a request for a one-year extension of the expiration for the 631-749 Chicago Avenue (AMLI) Approved Planned Development (Ordinance 103-0-08) to December 8, 2010 to obtain a building permit. For Action (P4)* Ordinance 103-0-09 Enacting a New Section 5-8-9 of the Citv Code Related to the Registration of Rental Residential Buildings Consideration of proposed ordinance 103-0-09 requiring condominium and townhome associations and/or management companies to identify rental units and provide owner and tenant contact information to the Property Standards Division. For Action OTHER COMMITTEES (01)* Facade Improvement Financial Assistance for The Mechanical Group, Inc. Recommendation of the Economic Development Committee to provide financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $32,000 for facade improvements for The Mechanical Group, Inc. an Evanston based plumbing company. Source for the funding request is the Economic Development Fund. For Action Alderman Rainey moved approval of consent agenda - seconded Roll call. Voting Aye: Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Wilson, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Rainey, Burrus, Fiske. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried (9-0) 1 10 November 9, 2009 AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION (A6) Resolution 73-R-09 AuthorizinR the City Manager to Execute a Local Ap-encv Agreement and Construction Enizineeriniz Services Agreement for the Evanston Lakefront Corridor Reconstruction Project Consideration of proposed resolution 73-R-09 authorizing the City Manager to sign a Local Agency Agreement with IDOT and Construction Engineering Services Agreement with AECOM for federal participation of the construction cost for the Evanston Lakefront Corridor Reconstruction Project. AECOM is located at 303 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60601. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,786,880.45 of which approximately $1,061,904 will be federally funded and $724,976.45 will be CIP funded. AECOM's phase 3 engineering services will be $96,880.45 ($77,504 federal, $19,376.45 CIP). For Action Motioned for approval and was seconded. Wilson — strong reservations about amount of contribution to project. Expectation would be about 20% (minimum amount) in order to get grant money, now looking at over $700,000. Lack confidence in whether or not state requirements are necessary to get bike path constructed. His expectation was that this would also include a portion of pedestrian paths but it is limited to just the bike paths and putting in $2 million is high for just the bike path. Instead of putting in 20% we are now looking at coming in at about half of the funding. Rainey — wanted a response from staff? Paul D'Agostino, Superintendent Parks & Forestry, original IDOT grant is a 80/20 match. There are restrictions on what is an eligible item for grant. There are things we want to do - lighting being most significant but it is not on the eligible list. Neither are other items such as benches, and trash receptacles. The only thing that qualifies as a participating element is removal of existing path and bike racks. Jean -Baptiste — why bring it to Council with this significant increase in terms of our participation, knowing our budget constraints? In the last 2 months we have approved expenditures for close to $2.5 million for the lakefront - what is the rationale for consistently moving this up as a priority? Robert Crown Center has been on our agenda for quite some time for spending some money. After a very lengthy discussion, Alderman Fiske moved to hold the vote until Council can meet to discuss the lakefront. Alderman Jean -Baptiste seconded. Alderman Burrus motioned to overrule the vote. Voting Aye: Wynn, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Rainey, Burrus. Voting Nay: Jean - Baptiste, Wilson, Fiske Motion passes (6-3) Call the vote: Voting Aye: Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Rainey, Burrus. Voting Nay: Wilson, Fiske (7-2) Motion passes 11 302. November 9, 2009 (A10) Ordinance 109-0-09: 2009 Evanston Township Tax Levv Consideration of proposed ordinance 109-0-09 annual property tax levy for Evanston Township. For Introduction Alderman Rainey — move for introduction of 109-0-09 Roll call: Voting aye: Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Wilson, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Burrus, Fiske. Voting nay: Rainey Motion passes (8-1) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Alderman Wynne — No report HUMAN SERVICES (111) Evanston Township October 2009 Bills List Recommend approval of the Evanston Township bills, payroll, and medical payments for the month of October 2009 in the amount of $100,753.68. For Action Alderman Jean -Baptiste - Move for approval of Township Bills Seconded. He wanted to see the audit report and financial report because he felt it was a conflict of interest. Roll call: Voting aye: Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Wilson, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Rainey, Bun -us, Fiske. Voting nay: None Motion passed (9-0) (M2) Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 26, 2009 Alderman Rainey asked to hold until next Council Meeting. Alderman Jean -Baptiste encouraged the Council to look at the minutes closely. CALL OF THE WARDS Ward 2 - Alderman Jean -Baptiste: Would reiterate his position on initiatives of the city manager, appreciates him moving quickly and giving alderman more work to do. Believes we have to try to build on whatever was here, build on economic development, affordable housing, and the lakefront — but we lack centralization so it's very important that we wrap our arms around those things that we say we are doing. Ward 3 - Alderman Wynne: Wanted to let audience know why Council was wearing pins on lapels. It is in honor of Evanston Police officer Patrick Wozniak, a married father of four who was re -deployed to Iraq for the 3rd time under Operation Iraqi Freedom. The proceeds from the sale of these pins will help support his family during his deployment. We've been asked to wear the pins for the next year while he is deployed. 1 12 November 9, 2009 She also thanked the staff of Health & Human Services after receiving an email from a friend (also a Lincoln School parent) for their terrific service at the Lincoln School during H1N1 vaccination process. Ward 4 - Alderman Wilson: He continues to be surprised at the daily crime reports on how many burglaries / thefts to unsecured property and to remind everyone to lock their cars, and doors, including garage doors, and to thank the community for calling and reporting what they observe. Ward 5 - Alderman Holmes: Thanked the Affordable Housing Task Force commissioned by the Housing Commission and especially the leadership of Susan Munro. Expressed hope that you will all read the report. She also thanked a resident in the 5th Ward who saw a landscaping company take water from a fire hydrant and called to find out why. It was discovered that the company's permit had expired and they went in the next day and paid their bill. Alderman Holmes then reminded people that they are invited to come to the regular 5t11 Ward meeting on Thursday evening November 19 at 7:00 at Fleetwood Jordain and a meeting on.November 18 of the Fireman Park Neighbors at the Civic Center. Ward 6 - Alderman Tendam: Mentioned that the City Manager's 90-day report was quite amazing and thanked the City Manager. He also would like to refer to A&PW the issue of one-sided parking during snow emergencies and/or snow removal and discuss alternatives to those who have no alleys or other parking. He would like to participate in those discussions and would be happy to talk to staff prior to those discussions. Ward 7 - Alderman Grover: Thanked the Affordable Housing Task Force and extraordinary work of Susan Munro and her leadership in that effort. She also thanked Northwestern University and the four law enforcement agencies that on Halloween kept citizens safe during the overlap of the Penn State football game and trick or treating. Ward 8 - Alderman Rainey: Brummel Park neighbors did a fantastic job on their anti - egg campaign on Halloween. She also made reference to Traffic Engineering on taking a look at how we do passenger vehicle only and who we exclude from those districts. Can non -passenger vehicles i.e. trucks and vans (unmarked vehicles) used as personal vehicles park on those streets. She reminded the 8th Ward of the meeting on Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the Levy Center regarding renovating a park at Brummel & Richmond. She concluded with congratulating Mayor Morton on the naming of the Civic Center. City Manager confirmed with Alderman Rainey that she wanted a solution to come back to A&PW regarding the vehicle parking issue. Ward 9 - Alderman Burrus: Thanks Wally on his 90-day report. Thanked the Affordable Housing Task Force for a thorough, impressive document. Thanked the 13 3� November 9, 2009 approximately 70 9th Ward residents who attended Budget Workshop this past Saturday and mentioned she hopes everyone of the next workshop. Finally, she reminded everyone of a 9th Ward Town Hall meeting on Thursday, November 19. Topics to be presented include the tax bill and budget process, pedestrian safety in crosswalks, library resources available for the unemployed and from the Police Department, restorative justice. Ward 1 — Alderman Fiske: Favorite Halloween costume was Marty Lyons, (going fishing during the budget season). She thanked and praised City Manager Bobkiewicz. In addition, she thanked and congratulated Lorraine Morton on the dedication. She wanted to share an issue important to the neighborhood at the north end of Ward 1. On September 15 an application was filed with City of Evanston Health Department to establish a Type 1 restaurant in the T1 transitional campus zone that borders the R1 residential property on Orrington Ave. The neighborhood did not know about this and it was not mentioned at the recent NU -City meeting. Residents recently found out when yard signs appeared on the parkway on Sheridan Rd. It is not a permitted use in T1, it is not a special use in Tl, it is not allowed in T1. It is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate that this use, with hours between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am, actually existed prior to the passage of 1993 zoning ordinance. Since then an appeal has been filed along with a complaint. The people who filed the complaint were told there would be a $100 fee to file the appeal and when they came in to turn in that appeal and pay that fee, were told there would be an additional $150 for the cost of transcription of the meeting. She would like to refer that fee back to the appropriate department so citizens who have a basis for disagreeing with a zoning administrator's decision can ask those questions without incurring those costs. She will keep Council informed as the situation moves forward. Alderman Wilson moved to adjourn and convene into executive session. Motion seconded. Roll call: Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Wilson, Holmes, Tendam, Grover, Rainey, Burrus, Fiske. Voting nay: None Motion passed (9-0) Meeting adjourned at 10:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Elaine Autwell Deputy City Clerk 1 14