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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2007-12-10-2007S7 1 J CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL — PRESENT: A Quorum was present. ABSENT: PRESIDING: Alderman Bernstein Alderman Holmes Alderman Moran Alderman Tisdahl None Mayor Lorraine H. Morton December 10, 2007 Alderman Rainey Alderman Hansen Alderman Wollin Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Wynne The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Monday, December 10, 2007, at 8:35 p.m. in the Council Chamber. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Manager Julia Carroll recognized Jay Terry, Health & Human Services Director, for his 18 years of service with the City of Evanston, thanked him and wished him well as he takes early retirement. Mayor Morton proclaimed December 2007 National Drunk and Drugged Driving (31)) Prevention Month Public Hearing: Proposed Expansion of the West Evanston TIF Alderman Jean -Baptiste reported that the proposed expansion of the West Evanston Tax Increment Financing District was adopted by the Economic Development Committee and the Joint Review Board. Assistant Director for Planning Dennis Marino called attention to maps given to Council members that show the original area and the three added areas. Bob Rychliki, TIF Consultant, Kane McKenna, reported that the TIF budget was expanded also. The term is not being expanded. Set up in 2005, this TIF has a 23-year term to expire in 2028. The area qualifies as a conservation area. The areas added a little over $10 million in EAV. Notices were sent to the taxing districts on October 24 and the State of Illinois. Notices were sent to all residential addresses within 750 feet of the boundary area on October 25 and to taxpayers of record and interested parties on November 19. Newspaper notices were published on November 22 and 29. All statutory requirements have been met. Bettv Ester, 2114 Darrow Ave., recalled when this TIF was created, residents asked for assistance in creating affordable housing for people on the West Side in the 51" Ward. Housing could be rental or owned. Residents asked that a concerted effort be made to make that happen. When voted on, neighbors were assured the area would not be gentrified. The community wants to benefit from this. This could happen if language was put in to assist the non -for -profit CHODOs, plus funds for affordable housing. Without this, they are looking at housing that is not affordable to people who live on the West Side. She knows many people in the community feel that there is enough affordable housing. They need affordable housing at various levels. Twenty-two affordable rental units have been lost. Only 20 units are slated to be owned. The housing market is in flux but that does not mean there should not be affordable housing. Priscilla Giles, 1829 Ashland Ave., agreed with Betty Ester; noted when the TIF was introduced they were assured it would benefit them and found it does not seem to. She asked if any study of income levels on the West Side showed the need for rental housing. The hope was this would be for people on fixed incomes, the disabled and the working poor. 5 2 December 10, 2007 Mayor Morton declared the public hearing over at 8:50 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS: None CITIZEN COMMENT: Robert Atkins, 2005 Orrington Ave., president of Northwestern Neighbors, stated the community is aware of the Illinois Attorney General's decision regarding Council's Closed Session meeting of March 27 with developers about a proposed 49-story tower building as being in violation of the Open Meetings Act. The Evanston RoundTable described this as a betrayal and urged the Council to take whatever actions were necessary to restore trust and confidence in the integrity of the process. In response to his FOIA request that Council meet in open session to consider his request, the Council met in closed session and released only the minutes, not the tape recording. These minutes revealed the Council had met on February 5 with these developers. He sent a second request for the closed session minutes of February 5 and the tape recording. He was advised that his request would be denied until Council released the requested material. He understood his most recent FOIA request would be considered by Council that evening in closed session. He stated the Open Meetings Act does not permit the release of minutes at unlawfully closed meetings. Therefore this Council, in open session, should agree to comply with his outstanding FOIA request for the tape of March 27 and the tape and minutes of February 5 meeting. The Council's continued withholding of the requested materials flies in the face of the Attorney General's views. It is illogical that the Council released the March 27 minutes on the grounds that confidentiality is no longer required while refusing to release the tape of the same meeting. A strength of American government is the right to know. The Open Meetings Act declares it is public policy of the State of Illinois that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the public has a right to be informed as to the conduct of that business. Many here believe that by failing to comply with the outstanding FOIA request as to what occurred in closed meetings with developers of the tower building, that Council has something to hide. Clouds of suspicion can be alleviated by voting in open session for release of the tape of March 27 and the tape and minutes, of February 5 closed meetings. This is the time to stand and be counted. (Alderman Rainey corrected Mr. Atkins. No developers were present at the February 5 closed session meeting.) Jeanne Lindwall, 625 Library Pl. thanked Northwestern University for moving the blue -light phone from Orrington/Noyes to Willard Hall at Emerson/Sherman. Two blue -light phones remain in the neighborhood that are not on university property. Based on blue -light phones on the border of Orrington/Foster, Orrington/Emerson, Emerson/Maple and Foster/Maple it does not appear that blue -light phones are an effective deterrent or the first choice to call for help. The last time this was before Council, two young women talked about armed robberies on the 700 block of Foster, less than a half block from a blue -light phone. At the 9-1-1 Committee meeting, Alderman Holmes pointed that out. There was another armed robbery at Emerson/Maple near a blue -light phone. In neither instance did the phones deter the robbers. She stated it is questionable that the blue -light phones will have the desired benefit that was hoped. The neighborhood knew that locations at the CTA stations were being considered. There are questions about perceptions of a neighborhood with blue -light phones. If they have them, the phones really need to be worthwhile and work. Blue -light phones should be limited to the CTA stations and NU property. She did not understand why the City took on maintenance of two phones on Northwestern property. Barbara Janes. 802 Colfax St., noted that two meetings ago blue -light phones were introduced and acted upon and none of the neighbors knew about it. Neighbors requested that the City postpone any decision until they could meet. At the last meeting, Council agreed to do that. With the holidays coming up, they were not able to schedule a meeting. This is not just a ward issue. A blue -light phone implies a neighborhood is unsafe. After the holidays, give them a chance to have a real neighborhood meeting and a good discussion among the residents of the area so they can have a better understanding of where everybody is. She asked that this be postponed so that neighbors could meet before the January 14 Council meeting and return with a response from the neighborhood. Tor Facgre, 1600 Ashland Ave., lives a half -block from Mason Park and noted the field house was renovated recently. He takes his five -year -old niece to the park, which she loves. There are basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamond, but the field house is not used and no provisions for its use. Neighbors hope that funds for staff can be found so that it can be 5-q 3 December 10, 2007 opened and used. The renovation made it into a beautiful place. Neighbors have a funding proposal. Some of this came up due to teenage vandalism in the neighborhood. There is hope that opening the field house for use will help with that. R.J. Coleman. 1719 Lake St., spoke on behalf of Mason Park Field House supporters; lives close to Penny and Mason parks. He grew up in Park Ridge and spent much of his youth in a park near his home. He understood that supporters had delivered a proposal to Council and distributed two pages with images of the park and a budget breakdown. He was grateful that City Manager Carroll's staff had arranged a meeting with the Parks/Recreation staff and neighbors. He supported the broad thought-out proposal, noting that after spending $1 million, they need to think about the next step so the park can fulfill its role in the community. He encouraged them to look at fuller funding for Mason Park. Junad Rizki, 2767 Ridge Ave., reported the Village of Wilmette is redoing the entire length of Sheridan Road and coming into Evanston doing work. Their staff has been receptive to his views and cooperative on resolving issues. They will replace the entire gas line and he has no issue with that. Nicor will disrupt 150 residents during winter weather and he suggested the City think of ways to minimize the impact on residents. He thought Council would face a 10-15% property tax increase, they know it and will have to deal with re -structuring of the City. He did not see that economic development would save property taxes. The TIFs are not paying off. He found that the auditor had indicated the Sherman garage had problems. He said Council has a responsibility to know what is happening and if there is a problem, taxpayers need to know. This garage will be used for future developments, so they need to be aware of what is going on. Some of the TIFs appear to use money for operations and not for infrastructure, so there may be difficulty paying off the bonds. Since Council does not want to ever cut anything, he suggested they empower a citizens committee to look into City matters and come back with suggestions. Madeline Ducre, 1929 Foster St., spoke about snow removal. Neighbors wanted her to ask the City to change the 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. prohibition on street parking when the streets are plowed of snow. They want the streets cleaned, but that is a long time to have no cars on the street, especially for those who have two and three cars. She asked them to consider changing the time to 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk* Alderman Moran moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Agreement with Citation Management for parking ticket and payment processing; Ordinance 106-0-07 — Reduction of Class C Liquor Licenses; Ordinance 109-0-07 — 93-Day Extension of Downtown Moratorium; Request for Extension of Planned Development — 1603-1629 Orrington Ave.; November 2007 Township Monthly Bills and Resolution 70-R-07 — Revised Agreement with NU for Emergency Call Box Installations. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. In response to Mayor Morton, First Assistant Corporation Counsel Herb Hill explained that Resolution 68-R-07 supersedes the former energy policy of the city in Resolution 33-R-95. Roll call. Voting aye — Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay — none. Motion carried. (9-0). ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 26, 2007. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, City of Evanston payroll for the period ending November 29, 2007 and City of Evanston bills through December 11, 2007, authorized and charged to the proper accounts: NO' 4 December 10, 2007 City of Evanston payroll (through 11/29/07) $2,230,930.78 City of Evanston bills (through 12/11/07) $3,799,095.44 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the lowest responsive and responsible bid (#08-62) for Cisco network and telephony products to Sentinel Technologies (2550 Warrenville Rd., Downers Grove) in the amount of $122,593. Funded by Capital Improvement Plan, $69,858; Emergency Telephone System Fund, $15,820.50; and General Fund, $36,914.50. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0). * Recommend award of professional services contract to Benson Electric (6913 N. Oleander, Chicago) for the installation of electrical components required to provide emergency backup power for the Information Systems Data Center located at the Municipal Service Center in the amount of $28,567. Funded by the Capital Improvement Plan. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend award of professional services contract to Benchmark Construction, Inc. (3349 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago) for the Ridge Avenue Construction Project for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in an amount of $7,118,324.73. Funded by IDOT ($3.6M), City Sewer Fund ($2.2M) and Capital Improvement Plan Street Resurfacing Fund ($1,318,324.73). * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Recommend award of professional services contract (RFP #08-50) to Land Design Collaborative (5142 Main St., Skokie) for the Ladd Arboretum Master Plan Implementation Phase I in the amount of $32,100. Funding provided by the Capital Improvement Plan.* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Recommend selection of OEC Business Interiors, Inc. (900 N. Church Rd., Elmhurst) as the non-exclusive furniture vendor for all City departments. Funded with department funds. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 68-R-07 — Adoption of a New EnerQv Policv — Consideration ofproposed Resolution 68- R-07, which would revise the existing Energy Policy (70-R-02) as recommended by the Energy Commission. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 105-0-07 — Repaulates the Use of Fire Pits — Consideration of Ordinance 106-0-07, whereby the City of Evanston will regulate fire pit use mainly in residential settings to minimize any fire hazards and/or negative impacts on the neighborhoods. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT * Ordinance 108-0-07 — Special Use Reouest for 809 Davis St. — Consideration of the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation to approve a special use request for the property at 809 Davis St. to establish a Type 2 restaurant (Red Mango). * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA Alderman Wollin moved to Suspend the Rules in order to adopt an ordinance at the same meeting at which it was introduced. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Hansen moved approval of Ordinance 108-0-07. The motion was seconded. Roll call. Voting aye — Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay — none. Motion carried. (9-0). 6/ 5 December 10, 2007 * Resolution 69-07 — Honorary Street Name Sian "Dr. Mike Martin Drive" — Consideration of proposed Resolution 69-R-07, by which the City Council would accept the recommendation of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Public Place Names to name the section of Prairie Avenue, between Grant and Colfax streets, with the honorary name of "Dr. Mike Martin Drive." * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Rainey moved approval of the recommendation that the City Manager enter into an agreement with Citation Management, a division of Professional Account Management, LLC, a Duncan Solutions Company (633 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee) for parking ticket management and payment processing functions (RFP #07-30) in the amount of $188,212 per year for three years totaling $564,636. Funded by General Fund parking ticket revenue. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Committee members had questions for the Parking Committee. Alderman Jean -Baptiste reported several committee members felt that, generally, this is a good recommendation as it increases efficiency in collections. Because this will ultimately impact jobs, a number of employees may be laid off. They wanted a sense of the guarantee after the first year, in the second and third years. In the cost/benefit analysis did they consider potential job loss? Those who provide this service now live and spend here. Alderman Wynne, chair of the Parking Committee, explained this company has a much higher collection rate than the City. The City's 10-year old equipment needs to be replaced, resulting in a cost no matter what they do. This allows them to save money by outsourcing. Loss of jobs was not discussed at the Parking Committee. Duncan would not take over the functions performed at the City, those remains as is. Kevin Lookis, City Collector Manager, explained that the guarantee in the first year becomes the base. On the secondary collection side, it behooves Duncan to follow up in the second and third year. Alderman Jean -Baptiste saw no guarantee for the second and third years and the City is giving up money. Duncan will increase the collection rate from 78% to 82% at least, but he saw no consequences if Duncan failed to meet the first -year guarantee. Mr. Lookis said a guarantee for one year is almost unheard of. This meant the City would not to have to purchase expensive software that typically is out of date in three years. Present software is completely past its useful life. Duncan is guaranteeing the City to move this forward. In years two and three, they believe 82% is the base and will go to 86% collection rate. The City has had to use a secondary collection agency that costs much more than 25%, Duncan's fee. Ms. Carroll said in addition to the need to buy software that can cost up to $500,000, this company has a tool that the City does not have now for skip tracing; can go national beyond the Illinois vehicle registration. Evanston has many out of town visitors and no way to go after them. This proposal increases revenue enough to pay for the service. There is no cost to the City. Staff believes they will get more revenue without having to lay out capital -- that is key. Alderman Rainey wanted to understand the second and third years. The City will get handheld computers the first year and new software. (The software is housed elsewhere.) Duncan will keep 25% on secondary collections; $2,100,000 is owed on uncollected tickets. Mr. Lookis stated the industry standard for collection is 50%. Alderman Rainey proposed an amnesty program immediately to get some dollars in. Eliminate the late charges and give everybody a chance to come in during the next 30-45 days. She has seen hundreds of tickets at a building. She asked if the owner no longer owns the car, can they still collect. Yes. Mr. Lookis said most of those cases have had their driver's license suspended once they pass 10 unpaid tickets. If people cannot be found physically and be ticketed, first they go to the boot list and second to driver's license suspension. All tickets must be paid before reinstating the driver's license. Alderman Wynne understood that in order to get their city sticker they have to pay up their tickets. She did not think that an amnesty program would work with persons who have hundreds of tickets. The City could improve service to citizens and not saddle staff with costly software that becomes obsolete. 6 December 10, 2007 Alderman Jean -Baptiste suggested the guarantee be maintained for the second and third years. Tim Wendler, Duncan Solutions, said they would be happy to discuss extensions of the first year guarantee. They have to look at the data and the City's 78% recovery rate. They are looking at offsetting the cost of their fees and guaranteeing no added cost to the City. They are open to discussing guaranteeing years two and three. Alderman Wynne moved this matter be held over. Seconded by Alderman Moran. At the request of two aldermen this item will be held until the January 14, 2008 Council meeting. Ordinance 106-0-07 — Reduction of Class C Liquor Licenses — Consideration of Ordinance 106-0-07, introduced November 26, 2007, whereby the City Code would be amended to reduce the number of Class C liquor licenses from 24 to 23 due to the closing of Cafe Luciano (2676 Green Bay Rd.). Alderman Wollin reported they had not discussed a memo from Jay Terry and letter from Henry Luciano, which indicated they were renovating and hoped to re -open. Their liquor license will expire in January and they asked to hold this over to February 11 when the City would know whether the restaurant will re -open and renew its liquor license or not. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Jay Terry stated that when a restaurant goes out of business, the City reduces the number of liquor licenses in that category. There were six indicators they had gone out of business. They got in touch with the owner who said they were not out of business. The City has no hiatus for liquor licenses. The owner plans to re -open in late January. Staff suggests the first meeting in February to deal with this. Mayor Morton stated the appropriate time to deal with this is when their liquor license expires. Alderman Wollin moved to hold Ordinance 106-0-07 until the January 14, 2008 meeting. Seconded by Alderman Moran. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Ordinance 109-0-07 — 93-Dav Extension of the Downtown Moratorium — Consideration of a 93-day extension of the moratorium on the issue of building permits for construction in downtown, established by Ordinance 57-0-07, which was adopted by City Council on June 11, 2007 and extended by Ordinance 103-0-07, which was adopted by City Council on November 26, 2007. The moratorium will expire December 11, 2007 and this ordinance will provide an extension of it to March 18, 2008. Alderman Hansen moved that this item be marked introduced. Alderman Hansen moved to Suspend the Rules in order to adopt an ordinance at the same meeting at which it was introduced. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Roll call. Voting aye — Moran, Tisdahl, Hansen, Wollin, Wynne. Voting nay —Bernstein, Holmes, Rainey, Jean -Baptiste. Motion failed. (5-4). (Rule 20.1 vote must be unanimous) Ordinance 109-0-07 will be on the agenda at the January 14, 2008 meeting. Request for an Extension of Planned Development Ordinance 57-0-05 — 1603-1629 Orrineton Ave. — Consideration of a request from the joint venture of Lowe Enterprises and Golub & Company (owners) to extend the construction completion date of Ordinance 57-0-05. The owners have requested that the date be extended from January 14, 2008 to April 30, 2008. Alderman Hansen moved approval of this item. The motion was seconded. Roll call. Voting aye — Bernstein, Holmes, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay — Moran. Motion carried. (8-1). �03 7 December 10, 2007 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE ADnroval of November 2007 Township Monthlv Bills — Consideration of a recommendation to approve the Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of November 2007 in the amount of $88,607.77. Alderman Bernstein moved approval of this item. Seconded by Alderman Holmes. Roll call. Voting aye — Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay — none. Motion carried. (9-0). OTHER COMMITTEES: Resolution 70-R-07 — Authorizes the Citv Manager to Sign a Revised Agreement with Northwestern, Universitv for Emergency Call Box Installations, — Consideration of Resolution 70-R-07, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an amended agreement between Northwestern University and the City of Evanston to install nine emergency call boxes in eight locations and for the City to accept them after installation. Alderman Moran moved approval of Resolution 70-R-07. Seconded by Alderman Holmes. Ms. Carroll handed out copies of the amended Resolution and Exhibit A, which shows locations of the call boxes approved by the ETSB. When this came before Council, the issue was a proposal for a blue -light box at Orrington/Noyes that was moved to Emerson/Sherman. The five boxes at the CTA stations were approved at the prior meeting. The only change is moving one box. Alderman Bernstein said the materials showed there were representatives of organizations at the ETSB meeting on November 29. Those organizations were here this evening and claim they were not represented. How many people attended this meeting for Northwestern Neighbors? Alderman Moran stated the same three that were present that evening. There was no cost/benefit analysis. He did not know how effective these are. They don't know the effectiveness of these devices and the cost to maintain them. The installation cost is $82,000 and Northwestern will give the City three set's guts, so if one breaks they can repair it quickly. What is the life expectancy of these devices? Why is the City paying for boxes on private property? He read articles stating these don't work. If people want them at the train stations, there are reasons for an emergency phone to be used, but not necessarily due to crime. Alderman Holmes attended the ETSB meeting at which the same three persons were present and addressed input of the community. At the November 19 5`h Ward meeting there was discussion of the blue -light boxes because two would be located in the 5th Ward. They wanted to make sure residents had a chance to respond. At the ETSB meeting, they wanted to have another community meeting. One box had been moved from Orrington/Noyes to Emerson/Sherman. She offered to put it on for the meeting of December 20. All are invited to come and discuss this. She sent emails, talked to 35 people at the Family Institute, and had another meeting December 4 with five or six residents. She felt they have reached out and have the same folks in opposition. She did not think it was a community issue. Cost to the City is $346 for all time. Alderman Wollin said all were present at the community conversation meeting and the 9-1-1 meeting. The best opinion of law enforcement at Northwestern and the City is that the blue lights are a deterrent to crime. An individual may not feel that way, but she would accept the opinion of those involved in crime fighting. Alderman Moran reported that Chief Bruce Lewis of Northwestern University researched blue -light phones across the nation. They are used at many major universities. When they took all the strategies into consideration, the one that stood out was that where blue -light phones were used, there was less crime. There is solid evidence that blue -light phones are effective. People want to be told how many crimes the blue lights have prevented. It is tough to collect statistics on what did not happen. Advocates for blue -light phones point out that they are crime deterrents. Numerous students and neighbors came to the community discussion held at the Family Institute attended by Aldermen Holmes, Wollin and him. 8 December 10, 2007 Students felt more comfortable with the blue lights in the neighborhood. Even opponents were comfortable with the blue lights at the CTA stations. The question is can they have a few blue lights away from the El stations, on a pilot basis, to assess over time as to whether they promote safety. The blue lights are there for all residents, not just students. The $82,000 of free software and hardware will be a favorable costibenefit to the City. Two blue lights are on university property and two are not. All know there are concerns about crime in Evanston. Some people don't want them. The reality is that as a city, they have an obligation to do what is best on the basis of public safety. The ETSB voted unanimously in favor of these four lights. How neighborhoods are perceived and that having blue -light phones would be a stigma to a neighborhood was mentioned by a citizen. These are great neighborhoods, but putting a blue light on a corner does not mean in somebody's mind that this is not a safe place. Somebody mentioned there are four phones in the neighborhood on Orrington. No one has called him or anybody else before this proposal to complain that these lights stigmatized the neighborhood. He asked Council to recognize this for what it is; a generous offer to get valuable equipment that enables them to provide a higher level of public safety. Alderman Bernstein's concern was they were talking about the illusion of safety. He wants people to be vigilant; does not like the kind of society where people have to be aware all the time; described these methods as "after the fact." He did not know that they prevent crime or that they create the illusion of safety. People have cell phones. At a recent meeting it was suggested that people walking dogs or coming home late at night keep their cell phones open. He suggested that money would be better spent getting more police officers at Northwestern University. He knows that police officers like cameras, but when one goes up crime moves a half -block away. He has an inherent dislike of these devices and thought they were okay at El stops. He would vote against them in the neighborhood. Alderman Moran said the light boxes give a sense of security. In the report, there was statistical evidence and a number of factors that go into determining whether a person will commit a crime against another person. One element in that calculation is that the zone of vulnerability collapses when there are blue -light phones. It is similar to a squad car traveling down the street. Roll call. Voting aye — Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay— Bernstein. Motion carried. (8-1). CALL OF THE WARDS: Aldermen expressed best wishes for a happy holiday season to the Council and community. 4th Ward. Alderman Bernstein asked Herb Hill if there was any reason not to vote to release closed session minutes in open session. Mr. Hill stated that the reason for the closed session was appropriate and consistent with the state statute. Council voted to release minutes and did not vote that the closed session was inappropriate or inconsistent with state law. The minutes of February 5, 2007, which Mr. Atkins referred to, have not been reviewed by the Attorney General and there is no finding that those minutes are not consistent with state statute and are appropriate for consideration during closed session. Alderman Bernstein felt the closed session of March 27, 2007 was legitimate and that the Attorney General had made the recommendation without reading those minutes. Council has nothing to hide. He thanked Jay Terry for his service and will miss him. Three wonderful Evanstonians passed away recently: Reverend Norwood, May Jean Rayburn, and George Lambrecht. He announced that Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor is recovering from successful back surgery. 51h Ward. Alderman Holmes said good-bye to Jay Terry and enjoyed working with him for 15 years. She extended sympathy to the family of Reverend Norwood, her pastor and friend. In response to comments by Ms. Ducre, she pointed out that when a person lives on a side street with parking on only one side, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is a long time because people have nowhere else to park. �s 9 December 10, 2007 She reported Wednesday night Sheriff Tom Dart will have a program on community outreach from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Skokie Courthouse. She reported attending a gathering on the "Your Rights and Your Reasons" contest about the U.S. Constitution sponsored by the League of Women Voters for 7`h grade students. She found it amazing all the things these young people expressed about the Bill of Rights in poetry, essays, artwork, a video, and rap. It made her know that the future is coming behind them and to celebrate our youth. She was reminded of that as they dined with the Youth Council that evening. Alderman Holmes invited all to the 5"' Ward meeting on December 20 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. 0 Ward. Alderman Moran was sorry to see Jay Terry leave. He has been one of the best colleagues that Alderman Moran could have hoped for because he fused together two impulses. One is the humanistic element that we can always do better for our citizens. Jay had that passion, but above that, he was analytical about how to make human service programs better. He always looked forward to Terry's memos because he could break things down and give this exquisite intellectual analysis that was brought forth by the human impulse. There was a concern expressed about affordable housing on the West Side. He thought there are numerous people who are thinking about affordable housing on the Council and a strong effort will be made for it. He attended the Youth Council dinner that evening and sat with Sara and Vidur, two bright, enthusiastic students at ETHS. None were from the 6`h Ward. He urged parents to promote serving on the Youth Council. Alderman Moran was sorry to hear of Reverend Norwood's passing. He was a tremendous guy. When he came to meetings, he would praise Council and sometimes not, but always with a twinkle in his eyes. He was sorry that Council did not carry the downtown moratorium forward. 71h Ward. Alderman Tisdahl said she will miss Jay; was enthused about the Youth Council, noted there is one representative from the 7`h Ward who stayed for the entire meeting. She worked with Reverend Norwood on two boards and will miss him. He was a fabulous Evanstonian. She sent sympathy to the Norwood family. She was glad to hear that Doug Gaynor is recovering. 81h Ward. Alderman Rainey reported the 8`h Ward has been under attack for the last month or two. Almost every day there are 8, 10 or 12 break-ins, primarily east of Ridge. It is out of control. She believed this would not be possible, if the City was serious about crime prevention. It is a confined area with people bashing down doors and ripping off padlocks. She is tired of reminding people that if they see something suspicious to call the police. Secure properties are being broken into. She told the Police Chief and City Manager that something has to be done. We cannot have residents invaded, abused, vandalized and stolen from. Imagine the terror one feels when one learns one's home has been broken into, not to mention damage to vehicles and property. Somebody has to fix those. Many people are afraid to call their insurance agent and don't want them to know they are living in a high -crime area. People moved in believing these areas were not high crime. For those who don't believe in blue lights, a break-in occurred right under the video camera at Brummel/Custer. She asked that the cameras be looked at. Accessing information is not easy. She expected some action. When they talk about Evanston as the most livable City, this neighborhood is the most unlivable. In the last month or so there were two raids on stores east of Ridge Avenue on Howard Street. They have identified this tiny strip as a TIF and the purpose is to generate excitement and progress. Two shopkeepers were arrested. They found counterfeit CDs and videos, plus stolen property that belonged to Evanston residents. These businesses were in full operation. Properties rarely go on the market east of Ridge on Howard. Two storefronts were sold to some kind of Christian training program, which means they will be off the tax rolls. 6 b 10 December 10, 2007 Alderman Rainev made a reference that Dronerty cannot be exempted from Dronert_v taxes in a TIF district. She was not opposed to a church coming in as long as it pays property taxes. Aldennan Rainev made a reference to the Plan Commission and the P&D Committee that the Citv needs to examine religious institutional uses in commercial. industrial and business districts. She was concerned that new owners of the former Shure Brothers property had made a special use request for a legitimate Jewish day school to be considered as a religious institution. Mr. Sargis, attorney for the Vineyard, represents the school. She was concerned that these two properties that once generated hundreds of thousands in property taxes will be off the tax rolls. She extended condolences to the family of Reverend Norwood and to the family of George Lambrecht. 91h Ward. Alderman Hansen was on the panel of the League of Women Voters contest and found the essays on which rights chosen interesting. Three youth from the 9`h Ward are on the Youth Council and she had met several before they became members. She praised Streets & Sanitation crews for doing a great job of snow removal and was happy that the sirens are back. Alderman Hansen appreciated the hard work of Jay Terry and cited his responsiveness to requests. 151 Ward. Alderman Wollin thanked Jay Terry and appreciated his hard work for the City, especially his responsiveness to the elderly. She sent condolences and prayers to the family of Reverend Norwood; noted his wonderful sense of humor. Alderman Wollin congratulated Renaissance man Bill Stafford, who will be inaugurated the next evening, as a trustee on the Oakton Community College Board. Now he is her boss and lives in the I" Ward. 2"d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste thanked Jay Terry for his work; especially appreciated his work on youth policies. He sent condolences to Reverend Norwood's family. He recalled attending a church service when Reverend Norwood was preaching on youth and came in with his hair corn rowed. The TIF is to empower the West Side and to bring more resources. The fight for affordable housing is an ongoing one. At the A&PW Committee meeting, when the new energy policy was explained, the committee suggested that the Sustainability Coordinator stay in close touch with the work of the Energy Commission and the Environment Board. When aldermen asked if there was any integration with the Energy Commission, they were told no. On parking 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., once the street is plowed, people should be able to park. Apparently Streets & Sanitation was ahead of itself. He asked staff to find a way to accommodate people. He rejected the notion of a conspiracy and secret meetings to support a developer downtown. This story has snowballed because it was not rebutted and was exposed clearly by those with a private agenda that used this route to achieve their goal. The reality is that Council goes into closed session and often they remind each other to not deviate from the subject. In the course of discussion something can be mentioned. Purchase of real estate was the key focus of that meeting. 3`d Ward. Alderman Wynne offered condolences to the Norwood family. She always enjoyed Reverend Norwood's commentaries informing Council of what they needed to do better. She thanked Jay Terry for all his service to the City. His perspective and understanding were wonderful. Mayor Morton stated that Jay Terry would receive an application to serve on a board/committee on January 5, 2008. 6-1 11 December 10, 2007 At 11:05 p.m. Alderman Bernstein moved that Council convene into an Executive Session to discuss matters related to collective bargaining, litigation and closed session minutes pursuant to 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/2 ( c) (2), (11) and (21) as follows: 2. All meetings of public bodies shah be public meetings except for the following: (2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, ordeliberations concerning salary schedules for cne or more classes of employees. (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. (2 1 ) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annLal review of the minutes as mandated by Section2.06. Seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Roll call. Voting aye — Bernstein, Holmes, Moran, Tisdahl, Rainey, Hansen, Wollin, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne. Voting nay — none. Motion carried. (9-0). At 11:55 p.m. Alderman Tisdahl moved that Council reconvene into open session. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Motion carried unanimouslv. Alderman Tisdahl moved that the closed session minutes of February 5, 2007 be released with certain portions redacted. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Motion carried unanimouslv. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 11:58 p.m. Mary P. Morris, 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.