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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2001-11-12-2001123 1 CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESIDING: Alderman Moran Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman November 12, 2001 Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Bernstein Aldermen Engelman, Kent, Rainey, Wynne None Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, November 12, 2001 at 6:04 p.m, in the Aldermanic Library. Alderman Newman moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to litigation and closed session minutes pursuant to 5ILCS Section 120/2 (c) (11) and (21). (I t) 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 Section 2.06. Seconded by Alderman Bernstein. Roll call. Voting aye — Moran, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Bernstein. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (5-0). At 6:55 p.m. Alderman Feldman moved to reconvene into Open Session. Seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Motion carried. No nays. Council then recessed so that aldermen could attend the standing committee meetings. Mayor Morton reconvened the City Council at 9:12 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. City Manager Announcements: Public Works Director David Jennings announced that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday's recycling/refuse pickup would be Friday, November 23. He reported that siren testing will resume at 10:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month beginning December 4. The sirens will be used only for emergencies or disasters and not for snow removal warnings. Alternate means of announcing snow emergencies will be used including a hotline and the City's website. Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor reported Sunday citizens gathered for dedication of the 99' Illinois Blue Star Memorial Marker in Patriot's Park. The Four Seasons Garden Club, in cooperation with the City of Evanston, gave the marker. aq 2 November 12, 2001 Ira Golan of Evmark announced that the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony would be at Fountain Square Thursday, November 29 at 5:00-5:30 p.m. Santa will arrive with the Mayor with performances by a brass band, barbershop quartet and six Rockettes from New York City. The restored clock on the former Marshall Field's building will be turned on. Mayoral Announcements: Mayor Morton congratulated ETHS students Christopher Brennan, Robert Carey, Martha Kyolaba, Michael Morrow, Elizabeth Nakabulwa and Sarah Raleigh who will be presented the Sheriff sYouth's Service Medal of Honor on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. Each has given more than 100 hours of volunteer service in Evanston. Mayor Morton announced the next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, December 3 at 8:30 p.m. and include a public hearing on the City's tax levy. A Special City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of presenting the City's 2002-03 budget and a public hearing on the Township's tax levy. Police Citizen Awards: Police Chief Frank Kaminski, with assistance of Sergeant Tom Guenther and Senior Crime Prevention Specialist Amanda Jones, presented awards to Victoria Wagner and Delores and Jerry Roseman. Ms. Wagner was recognized for her contributions to the Police Department, Police Alumni Association and community. Resources were needed to complete some projects and the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association came forward to help redo the break room and landscaping. Ms. Wagner, a professional designer, agreed to be the voluntary coordinator for the project. She devoted many hours and obtained resources to complete it, which was done at no cost to Evanston taxpayers. Chief Kaminski expressed pride and gratitude for a beautifully landscaped police building which was dedicated August 8. Chief Kaminski announced that Delores and Jerry Roseman are recipients of the State of Illinois Triad Council Award, which honors senior citizens who make significant volunteer contributions in their communities. Forty-two year residents, Jerry retired from the U.S. Postal Service and has his own business and Delores works at the Hadley School for the Blind. They are graduates of the Citizens Police Academy Class #7, founding members of the Alumni Association, representatives of Canal Park Neighbors, and have volunteered many hours and resources to the Police Department. They are also members of the Crime Prevention Bureau Senior Victim's Assistance Team. Ms. Jones also presented a gift certificate from Target to them. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted the Rosemans are 2"1 Ward residents. Communications: None CITIZEN COMMENT: Brvan Mullen, 1113 Ashland Ave., spoke on behalf of neighbors who for a decade have dealt with a neighbor who feeds birds/squirrels excessively. He hoped introduction of an ordinance that evening would help resolve this situation. He has photographs and complaints going back for years about excess feeding. He described a neighbor who puts out feed three times a day and delivery trucks that drop off 10-12 gunnysacks of corn/grain to this neighbor. Other neighbors have property damage plus health and financial concerns. Squirrels have gnawed bark and limbs and damaged trees on his property. There is damage to roofs, eaves, telephone lines; bird droppings on outdoor furniture and cars plus problems with mice, raccoons and possums. He noted that ground feeding contributes to holes in garbage cans; has counted 100 pigeons and 20 squirrels next door at one time. He suggested without this ordinance the City has few tools to deal with excess feeding. Many who have bird feeders hope this ordinance will be passed. Neil Good, 1121 Ashland Ave., hoped Council would consider passing the ordinance governing ground feeding, which would give muscle to the Police and Health departments to crack down on behavior that affects quality of life in this neighborhood. Children don't like to walk by the house where excess feeding occurs due to many birds roosting in the trees and feces on the sidewalk. He recognized the ordinance is designed to control feeding on public property, however, not many realize that excess feeding problems exists on private property. /30 November 12, 2001 CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Proposal of O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects - feasibility study for Robert Crown Center; Change Order #3 with Meyne Co. for new Levy Center; Ordinance 107-0-01 — Cable Franchise Agreement; Special Use for 519 Main St. (Starbucks); Application for Planned Development (800 Elgin Rd./1800 Sherman Ave.) and Approval of Proposed 2002 City Council/Budget Meeting Schedule. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Roll call. Voting aye — Kent, Moran, Engelman, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of October 22, 2001 and Special City Council Meeting of October 17,2001. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payroll for the periods ending October 25, 2001 and November 8, 2001 and the City of Evanston bills for the period ending November 13, 2001 and that they be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston payroll (through 10/25/01) $1,760,631.11 City of Evanston payroll (through 11/8/01) $1,830,022.75 City of Evanston bills (through 11/13/01) $3,594,243.60 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the lowest responsive and responsible bid from Simplex Time Recorder Co. to furnish and install a Fire Alarm and ADA Emergency Call System at the Civic Center at a cost of $161,316 (CIP funds). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the proposal of V3 Infrastructure Services Ltd. for traffic signal construction administration for Public Works at a cost of $158,893 (CMAQ grant). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the sole -source purchase from Bell and Gustus of street light poles, bases and accessories at a cost of $34,320 (CIP funds). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the proposal of Wolff Clements for Phase I of the Levy Senior Center Courtyard and Exterior Landscape Design project at a cost of $20,000 (Hulda B. & Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation grant). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #1 to the contract with Muller and Muller Architects for Ecology Center Renovation project, increasing the contract amount by $30,840 (Evanston Environmental Assn. donation). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #2 with Chicagoland Construction Inc. for the parking deck repairs at the Service Center for Public Works, increasing the contract amount by $1,800, from $155,335 to $157,135 (Parking Fund). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ■■■EM 4 November 12, 2001 * Special Event: First Night Evanston — Consideration of a request for street closures and related activities for the annual First Night Celebration on December 31, 2001. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 91-R-0I — Agreement for Pubic Art at Garage — Consideration of proposed Resolution 91-R-01, which approves a recommendation of the Public Art and Parking committees, to authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with Lincoln Schatz for commission of public art (sculpture) at the Maple Avenue Garage (cost of $170,000 from TIF funds). * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolutions 80-R-01 through 89-R-0I — 2001 Proverty Tax Abatement Resolutions — Consideration of proposed Resolutions 80-R-0I through 89-R-01, which would abate the 2001 property tax levy needed to retire the outstanding general obligation debt, Series 1992-2000. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 113-0-01 — Revisions to Ordinance Prohibiting Parking on Sidewalks — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 113-0-01, which revises the sidewalk parking regulations for parking and obstruction of sidewalks. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 101-0-01 — Amending Title 11. Chapter 1 of Citv Code — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 101-0-01, introduced October 22, 2001, which amends Title 11, Chapter 1 of the City Code regarding payment of a final judgment prior to issuance and renewal of selected licenses and permits. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (9-0) HUMAN SERVICES: * ADproval of Township Bills — Consideration of a recommendation to approve the Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of October 2001 in the amount of $65,613.55. APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Annual Audit of Evanston Townshi0 — Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council, acting as Township Trustees, accept the FY 00-01 Financial Audit of the Township of Evanston. APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 112-0-01 — Ground Feeding of Animals on Public and Private ProDerty — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 112-0-01, which bans the ground feeding of animals on public and private property and specifies acceptable types of feeders. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked for introduction of the following appointment: Thomas G. Suk Mental Health Board 1411 Washington St. Mayor Morton asked for confirmation of the following appointments: Peter Charles Godwin Board of Ethics 2400 Lincolnwood Dr. For terming ending November 15, 2004 5 November 12, 2001 Andrew Paine Civil Service Commission 530 Hinman Ave. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Timothy J. Flannery Energy Commission 2514 Grant St. For terming ending November 15, 2005 Kevin Boes Housing Commission 3043 Hartzell St. For terming ending November '15, 2004 Anthony A. Agee Human Relations Commission 313 Custer St. For terming ending November 15, 2004 H. Zane Robbins Ladd Arboretum Committee 2759 Broadway Ave. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Margaret Russo Ladd Arboretum Committee 126 Main St. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Gilbert K. Krulee Mental Health Board 1305 Grant St. For terming ending November 15, 2005 Randy J. Walker Mental Health Board 829 Foster St. For terming ending November 15, 2005 Albert Hunter Plan Commission 1040 Elmwood Ave. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Christopher F. Carey Preservation Commission 2739 Girard Ave. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Mayor Morton asked for confirmation of the fallowing re -appointments: Tony Kelly Arts Council 1311 Main St. For terming ending November 15, 2004 Richard Peach M/W/EBE Development Committee 1414 Greenleaf St. For terming ending November 15, 2003 (33 6 November 12, 2001 Lindsey Carol Berkun Sign Review & Appeals Board 626 Judson Ave. For terming ending November 15, 2006 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Rainey moved approval of Change Order #3 with the Meyne Company for the new Levy Senior Center construction, increasing the contract price by $3,092, from $6,824,538 to $6,827,630. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Engelman asked why a $10,000 structural steel support, that is an add -on here, is the City's problem and not that of the architect who designed the building and left it out of the original guaranteed maximum price? Alderman Rainey said the guaranteed maximum price had to do with items that were bid. This was left out. This change order is a series of debits and credits totaling $3,092 and includes a reduction of $23,514 for unneeded electrical work. Mr. Gaynor explained the steel would be needed, no matter what. The intent of the City is, if there are additional costs based on omission or error of the architect, the City would ask the architect for relief. When a project has a guaranteed maximum price, the City expects to stay within that price. There will be debits and credits as the building is constructed. When originally bid, the City did not have construction documents or shop drawings. Alderman Engelman said they expect a building designed so that it would stand when it was bid. Now they are told a beam was left out and if they want the building to stand, they have to put the beam in which will cost an extra $10,000. He noted that reductions of $27,000 are due to things requested but no longer needed and taken out. Mr. Gaynor stated that Max Rubin, construction manager for the City, explained in the committee meeting regarding the electrical, that originally each light had a wire to the light switch instead of bunching them up and bringing one line over. That was a considerable reduction. As they go through the project, they do value engineering to see if there are unnecessary things that can be eliminated and something might have been left off. That is one of the things they will discuss with the architect and why architects carry errors and omission insurance. Alderman Feldman stated if placed in the design drawings initially the City would have paid for it so that it is not something extra, but something needed and forgotten. The question is for how long and how many errors the City has to be responsible? His impression was that errors and omission of specific hardware, things needed that are caught, is the responsibility of the City. Mr. Gaynor stated that he, Max Rubin, and others review every change. Another example is that a gas fireplace was to be put in but the architect drew in no gas line. Obviously the gas line is needed to operate the fireplace. Any costs that create a problem for the City they normally would not pay. The gas line is needed, so the City will pay. If they had built without putting in the gas line, the cost would have been the architect's responsibility. Alderman Rainey encouraged scrutiny on other projects. She noted Council sees change orders on sewer work amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. She has tried to get people to notice those without much luck and guaranteed the next time there is a change order on a sewer project, she will detail every tens of thousands of dollars. She pointed out this is a change of $10,000 on a project costing around $8 million and predicted they will see more change orders; thought this project has probably been the most scrutinized the City has ever done. Alderman Feldman recalled many change orders during construction of the library, which were done for similar reasons. At that time, the City hired U.S. Equities to catch mistakes and to justify change orders. He stated that change orders are a normal occurrence during construction of any complexity. 1q 7 November 12, 2001 Roll call. Voting aye — Kent, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein. Voting nay — Moran, Engelman. Motion carried (7-2). Approval of the proposal of O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects for a feasibility study for Robert Crown Center for Parks/Forestry & Recreation at a cost of $70,500. Alderman Rainey reported the committee rejected this proposal. Instead it asked for Council concurrence to refer back to staff acceptance of the second option, which was to defeat this and all other bids and develop specifications for an engineering study of Robert Crown Center. The committee asked that staff bring back their draft recommendation in addition to information from all other studies. Alderman Rainey moved to reject all bids for this study. Seconded by Alderman Bernstein. Motion carried. No nays. Ordinance 107-0-01 — Cable Franchise Agreement — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 107-0-01, introduced October 22, 2001, which authorizes the City Manager to enter into a 10-year franchise agreement with AT&T Broadband to provide cable services for the City and its citizens. Alderman Rainey moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Rainey, an AT&T customer, stated they have the worst customer service and the reason is because they get a 10-year franchise. In committee she asked about the 10-year franchise and was told it is a good deal because other communities had to take more years. She said technology is changing rapidly and all know that AT&T won't own the cable service in the near future. She asked if others had concerns about this franchise or could staff explain why the 10- year franchise has to be accepted. Alderman Moran explained that this is a non-exclusive franchise which means by entering into this agreement, AT&T is not the only company that can provide cable service in Evanston. If this franchise said that AT&T is the only company to provide this service that would be an exclusive franchise. The City's franchise means that competition is welcome but he acknowledged significant infrastructure issues are raised when running duplicate systems. He noted progress is being made around the country where people are examining running fiber and cable and that innovative approaches have been adopted. He had no comment on the 10-year term. He noted other cable companies are welcome to talk to Evanston about a competitive service. Alderman Newman stated the review process for the franchise renewal this time was different than last time when they had a consultant, public hearings and regular reports. He noted they received a 3/4 page memo that did not highlight the point Alderman Moran made; thought there was a citizen committee appointed to help with negotiations and there was no report from them. Even if they could bring in another operator, they have no answers on the issue of service other than that the Mayor recently issued a formal complaint about customer service. He did not understand why in such an important matter, they have had little advice, taken no public comment and not heard from the citizen committee. He asked if this had to be passed that evening? Mr. Crum stated it could be held. First Assistant Corporation Counsel Herb Hill stated they have until January 15, 2002 to adopt the ordinance. The citizen committee met, reviewed the franchise and approved language in the draft ordinance. He stated if more information is desired, it would be provided at the next meeting. Alderman Newman asked if any other community groups were notified about this matter? Mr. Hill stated that Mr. Rubin was in contact with ECMC and the high school. Alderman Bernstein reported he served on the committee and there were two potential cable services, RPN and AT&T. RPN withdrew. He noted the cable ordinance leaves little negotiating room. There was concern about potential loss of PEG channels and lack of customer service. They were assured that a modem change was the reason for service problems. Some people on the committee were technically proficient. Vito Brugliera, Ariel Schrodt, John Malarkey, Steve Bartlebaugh, Maureen Barry, and Herb Hill were involved. The non -exclusivity means that the City can negotiate 13S 8 November 12, 2001 with those qualified to bid. He offered to provide minutes of the meetings. Alderman Rainey did not recall receiving any minutes. Alderman Rainey related how on November 7 she was shut out of the Internet, notified her service would be terminated November 30 until her modem was changed and the difficulties she encountered in getting service from AT&T Mayor Morton stated that those who come to homes are independent contractors. Alderman Jean -Baptiste confirmed that the non-exclusive arrangement means that the City can entertain other competitors and asked the sense of the 10-year agreement if they can deal with competitors? Alderman Moran suggested it was an attempt to identify a period of time in which they can operate in the City that does not exclude concurrent operation of another. Nobody is shut out and no minimum amount of business (customers) is required. Roll call. Voting aye — Kent, Moran, Engelman, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Special Use for 519 Main St. (Starbucks) — Consideration of a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny a Special Use application for a Type 2 restaurant (Starbucks) at 519 Main St. Alderman Kent reported a presentation by Starbucks; their attorney and residents voiced concerns about parking/traffic. This item was held in committee for further discussion at the December 3 committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. Application for Planned Development — Consideration of a recommendation of the Plan Commission to deny a property owner's application for a planned development at 800 Elgin Rd./1800 Sherman Ave. Alderman Kent reported that this item was held and will be discussed at a Special P&D Committee meeting on Monday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. the committee will meet with the ZBA and Plan Commission. OTHER COMMITTEES: Approval of Proposed 2002 Citv Council and Budget Meeting Schedule — Consideration of a request to approve the proposed 2002 City Council and Budget Meeting dates. Alderman Engelman moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Alderman Rainey moved that the January 12 budget meeting be eliminated because she could not be present. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Voice vote, motion carried. No nays. Voice vote. Motion carried. No nays. CALL OF THE WARDS: 5" Ward. Alderman Kent congratulated the 4`" and 51" grade flag football teams at Washington School, who won the Daryl Judon Sportmanship Trophy. Mr. Judon was a respected referee who died at age 22. He announced a meeting the next evening at Fleetwood-Jourdain at 7:30 p.m. about the redevelopment of Isabella/Butler Park. Because the CDBG meeting is scheduled on November 15, the Neighborhood Planning Committee meeting scheduled for that date was cancelled and the next meeting will be held December 6 at Fleetwood-Jourdain. /3( 9 November 12, 2001 61' Ward. No report. 71h Ward. Alderman Engelman asked aldermen to submit names of people they wish to invite to Budget Committee meetings where they will dialogue with the community and those names be sent to him by phone or email the next day. Alderman Engelman made a reference to the Human Services Committee to obtain a report from the Township Assessor comparing the cost of the Civic Center office and the assessor's new office on Dodge Avenue: a status report on nast personnel problems and existing personnel issues. He asked that the Township Assessor, after discussion with the Cook Countv Assessor, report on how thev are assessing co-op apartments here. He noted when all other property is sold, there is a transfer tax so the assessor has access to an actual sales price. He would appreciate a report from the assessor on how this is being done and recommendations she has for making sure that all citizens are assessed fairlv and accurately. 8`h Ward. Alderman Rainev also asked that the Township Assessor provide a status report on permits and reconstruction to property that the Township has evaluated and if Cook Countv has been notified of those properties with increased values resulting from new construction and permits? Mayor Morton questioned whether Township Trustees have jurisdiction over that. Alderman Rainey stated, as a taxpayer, she asked on behalf of all who live here, because the more assessed value is on the tax rolls, the easier the spread is for all. She wanted to know if there is any difficulty in getting those reports to the Cook County Assessor so property is taxed appropriately. 9" Ward. No report. 1" Ward. Alderman Newman thanked staff for pulling back on the financial software purchase. For those who do not understand the need for software, he said that they were able to figure out some budget issues. Unfortunately, it is not the City's admission into the 21` century that counts, but how much the water and sewer funds will be raided to pay for software at Robert Crown, Zoning Division, library, etc. Council members found that this purchase was going to be passed with $800,000 from the sewer fund and $1 million from 1999 water bonds. Those water bonds were authorized for purchase of a water billing system, not just financial software. Staff has promised more information next time around. He assured them that this purchase will be carefully scrutinized and how it will be paid would be thoroughly discussed. He said they would not raise water/sewer rates unbeknownst to the rate payers to pay for other City expenses. He announced on November 16, the "Harry Potter" movie will come to Evanston and invited all to go to the Century Theatres to share in the fun and joy of the holiday season. 2"" Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted two public meetings on library branches were held on whether or not to close the south branch and open up a west side branch. He thought the people who came to the public hearings had genuine concerns, but that the City was somewhat disingenuous due to the leadership they gave to the process. People are asking if this is an exercise in futility, going through these public hearings and nothing will come from it. Is the City serious in giving priority to library branches? Or is the City serious about spending money on tools for "better management" through the $3.5 million software package that was proposed to Council on the heels of declaration of a major budget crises? He suggested they look at what it does to serve the interest of the community long-term. He said youth and adults who use library services value the branches and Council must focus on priorities and not throw out smoke signals. He felt that 2"d Ward residents have been pitted against 3`d Ward residents over whether one branch will close and another open at the expense of the other. At the last meeting a schism opened -- people talked about black/white and low income/high income issues, which this is not. To him it is a question of what priority the City sees in terms of the investment it makes to support the Library Board's mission, which is to serve all citizens. Eventually this would come back to the Human Services Committee and he thought they would forward some kind of proposal to the City Council. He asked them to consider whether they are engaged in a genuine process of assessing what is the priority and whether they have the will to re -allocate resources to serve those priorities or whether they have been sent to engage in an exercise in futility. The process has to make a real assessment as to what is really needed and how they can address the needs correctly. One proposal came out of thin air, another proposal was a process that seems to have no basis of support by staff and, possibly, within the Council. They have to re -assess the process, make a genuine assessment and give resources where the priorities are. f 3-117 10 November 12, 2001 3" Ward. Alderman Wynne appreciated the 2nd Ward alderman's comments about not pitting one ward against another or turning this into a racial issue. That was her hope and he asked good questions that should be directed to the Library Board and City Council. She would ask how does the City get the greatest and best use to serve the largest number of people in the community for every library dollar? Alderman Wynne made a reference to the Plannine & Development Committee. She noted there is more development in the community where uses are being changed from commercial to mixed uses such as commercial/residential. A consequence of these changes is that alleys once primarily for commercial use, are now used by large numbers of new residents who live in larger buildings. Some alleys are not in good shape and now will suffer through construction phase and then carry more traffic. She asked staff and P&D Committee to look at assessing an alley impact fee for new construction where there is a dramatic change from commercial use to a situation such as 240 cars using an alley as their only egress/exit. Some alleys may need to be reinforced and, as a consequence of construction, there will be damage. She wished to look at the question of assessing some kind of alley impact fee on new construction. 4tb Ward. Alderman Bernstein noted a sign at 1314 Ridge advertising an auction of District 65 property. He wanted the school board to get the greatest financial remuneration possible from sale of this property and at the same time that the character of that area remains as it is. He has met with the District 65 superintendent and the property committee. They will ask the Preservation Commission, ZBA, Plan Commission and the community to indicate an acceptable use of that property so bidders that come to the auction will know they cannot build a "400-story senior residence." People will be notified of these meetings. He announced a Police Academy graduation on Thursday, November 15 and encouraged people to join the process and see the work being done. Alderman Bernstein was at the Orrington Hotel over the weekend for the Fourth of July Association and later at the Hilton Hotel for the Child Care Center; suggested competition is working for their benefit and praised both hotels. Alderman Feldman stated that Alderman Jean -Baptiste raised a significant issue. It was his hope that what he asked for is in the budget deliberation process. He noted the decisions made each year as to where money goes is a written articulation of their value system. By looking at the budget, one can see what is important to the City of Evanston. This year when there are questions raised by the Library Board and other issues, there are multitude of claims and priorities. They will have to make difficult choices and set priorities. Those priorities have to be established and there will be tough decisions. Everybody will not be satisfied. He hoped they will hammer out something that after a lot of discussion. While it has never been easy, this year will be harder. At the end, they will have a budget that represents Council's wisdom and the community's values. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 10:44 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.