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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2008-10-13-20081 1 1 CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL — PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: PRESIDING: CQ , October 13, 2008 Alderman Hansen Alderman Bernstein Alderman Wollin Alderman Holmes Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Wynne Alderman Rainey Alderman Moran Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Monday, October 13, 2008, at 8:41 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Mayor Morton announced to the citizens in the Council Chamber that the Council would have to recess and go into Executive Session. She apologized for the deviation from the normal meeting, noting that everyone did not have access to the agenda before arriving. She asked that they stay and wait for the Council's return and to be calm and relax. At 8:42 p.m. Alderman Bernstein moved to convene into Executive Session to discuss matters related to real estate, litigation and closed session minutes pursuant to 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/2 ( c) (5), (11) and (21) as follows: 2. All meetings of pubic bodies shall be public meetings except for the following: (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. (11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. (21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section2.06. Seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Roll call. Voting aye — Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). At 9:32 p.m. Alderman Bernstein moved to reconvene into Open Session MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morton announced that she and the Interim City Manager had attended a meeting in Oak Park. She said, "Some years ago the City of Evanston joined in with a Gamrning Institute, realizing if a Casino was placed in Rosemont, Evanston would receive some of the revenue, but as you know that fell through." The issue has now come back alive and 70 communities have joined together and will receive revenues according the population of the community. Three bidders are contracting for the opportunity to bring this proposal to completion. This will be the tenth casino and the bids must be in by October 10 with a hearing on October 14. This is information to notify the Council and residents of the upcoming events. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Interim City Manager Rolanda Russell made announcements concerning the hiring of two new employees to the City. Joseph McRae is the new Assistant to the City Manager, and Paul Schneider, Director of Transportation and Engineering. They both came up to the front of the Council Chambers and spoke of being glad to be here in Evanston and looking forward to working for the residents of Evanston. 3t� October 13, 2008 COMMUNICATIONS: City Clerk Rodney Greene announced that the first day of Early Voting netted approximately 400 voters, and that the voting site at the Civic Center would be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturdays, October 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Come vote and beat the crowds on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. CITIZEN COMMENT: AGENDA ITEMS Junad Rizki, 2756 Ridge Ave., spoke on four concerns as follows: he felt that it made no sense to hire an architectural service to renovate the branch libraries and the Council should question why not use an Evanston company instead. He mentioned that the floor is completely filled with asbestos and there is not enough space anyway to renovate the bath rooms, and instead of selling the building next door use it. Next on his list was the bike on Ridge which will cost $15,000 and he was wondering where the City was going to get the funds. He then talked about the purchase of Emergency Medical Service Equipment and wanted to know how often the equipment had to be replaced or upgraded and that it was not a good way to spend taxpayers' money. He believed that the Council was not looking at whether the CHDO funds were being cut up properly and only allocating them to five Evanston establishments with the same amount. It didn't make sense the way the pie was being cutup. Mary Friedl, 1313 Cleveland St., talked about her concerns for parking spaces for the handicapped in the building where the U.S. Postal Service parks their vehicles. These vehicles take up the whole downstairs and this is in violation of the ADA & Illinois Accessibility Code. The Code is very clear that the first spaces nearest the doors should be made accessible for the handicapped patrons to allow easy entrance and departure. CITIZEN COMMENT: NON -AGENDA TOPICS Junad Rizki. 2756 Ridge Ave., felt that, while speaking at the October 6 Budget Workshop, the Council and presenter were not totally honest with the Evanston residents and that the City had done a disservice to taxpayers. He left the meeting confused about what was presented. The report showed that all was well with the budget but, in reality, that was untrue. We are still in a deficit and taxpayers are the ones who will suffer. At the next budget workshop he suggested that the total picture be presented, not just the General Funds; give the entire presentation of the City's true state of affairs. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Moran moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Contract with Product Architecture + Design to remodel the North and South Branches of Library; Special Event — Bike the Ridge and Allocation of HOME CHDO Operating Funds. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Roll call. Voting aye — Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 22, 2008. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, City of Evanston payroll for the period September 18, 2008, and City of Evanston bills through September 23, 2008, as authorized and charged to the proper accounts: City of Evanston payroll (through 09/28/08) $2,307,914.12 City of Evanston bills (through 10/14/08) $5,885,168.68 * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) e'3 1 <t- 3 October 13, 2008 * Recommend acceptance of a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) in the amount of $60,000 to fund the conversion of one collection day from recycling bins to either 65 gallon or 96 gallon wheeled recycling carts. Acceptance of the grant requires a match of $186,384. Funded by the Streets & Sanitation Recycling Services General Fund account. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of a proposal from Willow Creek North Shore for a World AIDS Day Walk in downtown Evanston, on Saturday, December 6, 2008, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of the sole -source purchase of two monitor/defibrillator/pacer devices from Medtronic Physio- Control (11811 Willow Rd. NE, Redmond, WA) in the amount of $31,642.65. Funded by the Fire Department Capital Outlay account. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of the lowest responsible and responsive bid (09-44) for a two-year agreement, with optional third year to renew, with Crescent Printing Company (1001 Commercial Court, Onalaska, WI) for printing of quarterly Highlights newsletter on recycled -content paper in the amount of $26,600 per year. Funded by the General Fund. APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of the lowest responsible and responsive bid (09-45) for the 2008 Structure Lining Contract to National Power Rodding Corp. (2500 W. Arthington St., Chicago) in the amount of $52,509.16. Funded by the Sewer Fund. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of the purchase of 425 trees from Suburban Tree Consortium (STC) in the amount of $94,178. In addition, recommend approval of an additional purchase for the contractual planting of 150 of these trees by STC, in the amount of $13,650. The total expenditure for the trees and contracted planting is $107,828. Funded by the Parks/Forestry Division budget and the Capital Improvement Program. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend approval of Change Order (#2) for the Basin S82B Contract 2 Relief Sewer Project with DiPaolo Company (4350 DiPaolo Center, Glenview). This change decreases the contract amount by $4,082.75, from $6,596,041 to $6,591,958.25 and grants a 45-day extension to the contract period. An IEPA loan funds about 93% of the project costs, with the remaining portion funded by the Sewer Reserve Fund. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 53-R-08 — Authorizes the Citv Manager to Execute a Lease Renewal Aereement with the U.S. Postal Service for Parking in Citv Lot #25 — Consideration of proposed Resolution 53-R-08, which authorizes the City Manager to execute a lease renewal agreement with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for parking postal vehicles in City Lot #35, located at 1612-1616 Maple Ave. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 55-R-08 — Appoints a Director and Alternate Director to the Solid Waste Aeencv of Northern Cook Countv (SWANCC) — Consideration of proposed Resolution 55-R-08, which appoints a Director (Ald. Edmund B. Moran, Jr.) and Alternate Director (ICM Rolanda B. Russell) to the Board of Directors of SWANCC pursuant to the agency agreement. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 106-0-08 — Authorizes the Sale of Citv-Owned Surulus Fleet Vehicles - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 106-0-08, introduced September 22, 2008, which declares various equipment and vehicles as surplus property to be sold at public auction through Obenauf Auction Services (118 N. Orchard, Round Lake). * ADOPTED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Additional Condo Workshop in 2008 — Request approval of $1,000 in funding to the Lakeside Community Development Corporation to present a third Condominium Workshop in November to accommodate 60 people from the waiting list. * APPROVED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) October 13, 2008 Ordinance 99-0-08 — Special Use for a Convenience Store — 2536 Ewing Ave. — Consideration of the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation, introduced September 8, 2008, for approval of a Special Use for a 7-Eleven Store at 2536 Ewing Avenue. * ADOPTED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Recommend approval of the contract with Product Architecture + Design (1608 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago) for the schematic design, design development, construction document preparation and construction oversight of the remodeling of the North and South Branches of the library in the amount of $52,500. Funded by the Capital Improvement Program. Alderman Holmes moved for approval and Alderman Moran seconded the motion. Alderman Holmes also wanted to remind the audience that they asked the City staff to stay in within budget, and to sell a portion of the North Branch and to use those funds to assist in the renovation of the South Branch, but there has not been a sale as of yet. A sum of $130,000 was appropriated from the Capital Funds. Mayor Morton asked were the funding for the renovations already included in the Capital Improvement Budget? Interim City Manager Russell responded by stating any issue that has funding from the Capital Improvement Funds have already been voted on in Council and approved. Alderman Bernstein asked how long of a lease do we have on the South Branch, and did we extend it to 2012? Mr. Paul Gottschalk stated they have a lease until April 2012, and that they will not spend any City money unless a long term lease of ten years is accomplished. We don't know how much it will cost, but an estimate is about $300,000 for the South Branch. Mayor Morton asked how many customers does the Library see over a six month period between both Libraries. If usage is low, how do you compensate? Mr. Gottschalk told the Mayor about 500 on a Saturday. Alderman Rainey pointed out that if there is talk about extending the lease there must be some contribution on the part of the Landlord. She then asked if anyone had heard that $300,000 was going to be spent before tonight. We should have all the necessary information before moving forward. Alderman Hansen said that when she visited the Library there were so many people there that she could not sit down even if she wanted to. She wanted to know if the possibility of the South Branch moving to another location been explored, and if not would there be an increase in the rent. Mr. Gottschalk said that the Landlord was willing to help, but there would be an increase in the rent. If moving to a new location it would be $25 - $30/ sq.ft. which would then exceed what the City is capable of spending. Alderman Jean -Baptiste stated he did not expect to spend more money as the discussion has lead to tonight. We need more information before going forward and to stay within budgetary boundaries. He then motioned to hold the decision for another two weeks. To hold in Council until further information is obtained. Alderman Bernstein seconded the motion. Mayor Morton asked Alderman Jean -Batiste to repeat his motion. Alderman Jean -Baptiste said that he moved to have the decision to go back to Council allowing time for additional information to become apparent before approval of the item. 3z( 5 October 13, 2008 Alderman Moran wanted to know how were we to get information without first approving the expenditure. Unless we engage someone to do the work we'll be back in the same place we are in now. Alderman Bernstein wanted to talk with the Landlord before spending money to enhance someone else's property. Alderman Wollin said that they already had conversations with the Landlord and he agreed to extend the lease. He also said he would address the ADA accessibility, clean-up the bathrooms, to solve the disability issues in the building as well as the ventilation. Also there is a need to fix the blockage between the two Branches to allow a wheelchair patron access between the two Branches. Alderman Rainey wanted clarification from Alderman Jean -Baptiste on exactly what he was looking to accomplish. Alderman Jean -Baptiste wanted Mr. Gottschalk to explain the $300,000 usage, and that it is not just renovating bathrooms, being compliant with ADA issues at the entrance. What are we planning to do? Alderman Rainey wanted to know if we laid out the job request to all respondents to what we wanted them to do in the RFQ? Mr. Gottschalk answered yes. They were told to renovate or fix the barriers to the rooms, lighting, ventilation, bathrooms, removing the beams to make accessible. Alderman Holmes wanted to know if the $300,000 was just for the South Branch and nothing for the North Branch. Alderman Jean -Baptiste said that in committee the limit was $180,000 and that both branches were to be covered. Alderman Tisdahl said that it would be nice for the North Branch to have lighting so that people could read in the rooms. Mr. Gottschalk included in this package is for lighting, power, and ventilation. Alderman Hansen stated that there were two questions facing us: 1. Are we going to keep the two libraries open? And 2) How much is it going to cost to achieve the goal? Alderman Moran said it would be $130,000 + $130,000 + $50,000 that we have on hand and the money that we would get from the sale of part of the North Library. Alderman Bernstein wanted to know if we could solve this in house instead of hiring an outside architect to give us an assessment. A statement came from the Council to make this a special order of business for the next Council meeting. Mayor Morton asked the Council members if they wanted this matter to be considered a special order of business for the next Council Session. Voice vote was taken and all said AYE. Alderman Holmes reported that this item would be held and considered as a Special Order of Business at the October 27, 2008 meeting. Recommend approval of the proposal for a special event called `Bike the Ridge." The event would take place on October 26, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Currently, no funding is budgeted for this special event that would cost the City about $15,000. Alderman Holmes moved to reduce the funding for Bike the Ridge to $8,000. The motion was seconded. Roll call. Voting aye — Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). October 13, 2008 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Recommend Allocation of HOME CHDO ODeratine Funds — The Housing Commission and staff have recommended that $81,830 in HOME funds reserved for operating grants to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) be awarded to Evanston's five CHDOs in the amount of $16,366 each. Alderman Wollin reported that this item would be held until the October 27, 2008 meeting. CALL OF THE WARDS 91h Ward. Alderman Hansen brought attention to the Bike the Ridge special event logo that Candice Hill created. She suggested that everyone order their shirts, buttons or whatever they wanted the logo to be displayed on. She also thanked Alderman Rainey for pulling the event together as a joint effort of two wards. The parking study that will be completed on October 16, will be presented at the Ridgeville Community Field House. The developer and representatives from Aldi (food store) will make a presentation to the community on Thursday, October 23, at the Levy Center at 7 p.m. 0 Ward. Alderman Wollin announced that the Northwestern Strategic Plan will be presented in the Parasol Room on Thursday, October 16, 2008. She also expressed her appreciation of the late Alderman Romain's service to the City of Evanston, and could not believe he had died. 2"d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste told the Council and the TV listeners that there was help with the many foreclosures that are happening all too frequently. 3`d Ward. Alderman Wynne announced that there will be an Alley Development meeting on Wednesday evening. 4th Ward. Alderman Bernstein spoke of his condolences to Alderman Romain's family. 5`h Ward. Alderman Holmes also extended her condolences to the Romain family. She invited all to Fleetwood/Jordan for the 5`h Ward monthly meeting at 7 p.m. The guests will be representatives from the Housing Authority of Cook County, who will discuss foreclosures and similar serious issues. 61h Ward. Alderman Moran thanked all for their support for the 7-Eleven project. He stated he got to know Alderman Romain when the two of them were on the Ethics Committee. He, too, added his condolences to the family. 71h Ward. Alderman Tisdahl mentioned the Human Services meeting that will be held October 20, 2008 at 7 p.m. She added her sympathies to the Romain family and stated he would be missed. 81h Ward. Alderman Rainey said that she had served two years with Alderman Romain when there were 18 aldermen on the Council and got along with him very well. She also thanked Attorney Purze for her contacts with Bench Mark Volunteers for the use of their barriers. They will set up and tear down the barriers after the conclusion of the event. Mayor Morton announced the Halloween Trick -or -Treat hours to be honored are from 4-7 p.m. on October 31, 2008. At 10:54 p.m. Alderman Bernstein moved to convene into Executive Session to continue discussing matters related to real estate and litigation pursuant to 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/2 ( c) (5), (11) and (21). The motion was seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Roll call. Voting aye — Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 11:48 p.m. Rodney Greene, City Clerk A videotape recording of this meeting has been made part of the Permanent Record and is available in the City Clerk's office.