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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2001-10-08-2001ILI CITY COUNCIL October 8, 2001 -00 E Vq�� � �0 'Z 0 DOfi CO. o ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Wynne Alderman Feldman Alderman Kent Alderman Newman Alderman Rainey Alderman Jean -Baptiste A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Alderman Moran ABSENT: Aldermen Bernstein and Engelman PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, October 8, 2001 at 8:50 p.m. in the Council Chamber. City Manager Announcements: City Manager Roger Crum announced the Library Board of Trustees and the League of Women Voters would host a second meeting to take public comment on the location of the Library's south branch. The meeting was rescheduled for Monday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the main Library Community Meeting Room. The Library Board is considering the possibility of relocating the branch from its current site, 949 Chicago Avenue, to the Evanston Plaza Shopping Center at Dempster and Dodge. The meeting will provide information on branch library operations, the Board's proposal and time for public comment. Public Works Director David Jennings announced the City would start collecting leaves from streets October 15- November 30. The City will pick up bagged leaves and empty yard waste carts October 15-December 6. Residents can take yard waste to the new drop-off site at the former Recycling Center, 2222 Oakton St. during regular hours Fridays: noon to 7 p.m., ,Saturdays and Sundays: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 19-December 12. Mr. Jennings stated the use of leaf blowers is permitted October 1-December 14 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enforcement of this ordinance is through the Police Department at the non -emergency number: 866-5000. Mr. Jennings reminded residents that blowing leaves into the street is not permitted. Leaves are to be bagged, put in a yard waste .cart, contained and brought to the City or composted. Fire Chief John Wilkinson announced that the Fire Department would hold open houses at all five fire stations Saturday, October 20, from noon to 4 p.m. Mayoral Announcements: Mayor Morton reported that Alderman Engelman is doing well and anticipated coming to the meeting on October 17. Mayor Morton noted that Evanston's Sister City, Belize City, was expecting another hurricane and would need aid. l 03 2 October 8, 2001 Mayor Morton announced that the official Trick or Treat hours are 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 31. She urged citizens who will receive children to turn on their porch lights during those hours. Mayor Morton announced a Special City Council meeting would be held Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. to hear presentations on the City's new financial software system and Budget Issues for FY 01-02 and FY 02-03. Communications: None CITIZEN COMMENT: Mimi Peterson, 1008 Ashland Ave., spoke about the proposed feasibility study for Robert Crown Center. In listening to aldermen comments about this study in the A&PW Committee meeting she was struck by how confounded they were about the status of the building over the years. She noted several studies are available that highlight some of the things wrong with the building. Given the City's economic strait, she thought it fiscally irresponsible to consider spending any more on surveys until the City can implement the recommendations from other proposals. She recalled three studies, one from 1987 in which recommendations have not been implemented regarding groundwater that is seeping underneath the building and affecting the foundation. There is a study on the wall that said if the recommendations were heeded the problems could be repaired. Rather than spend $200,000 or $70,000 on another study, she asked Council to reexamine prior studies/surveys in the next two weeks as they consider the feasibility proposal. Sue Carlson. 2679 Stewart Ave., delivered a statement on behalf of the Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle on affordable housing in Evanston. She observed that high -end condominiums are being built downtown and along Chicago Avenue, plus conversions of rental apartments in South Evanston. She saw these developments as accelerating region - wide inflation of housing prices resulting in increased rents and high home prices. She thought Evanston was faced with a possible change in community diversity. Market forces are clearly at work here, but the housing market works within a regulatory framework defined in part by City policy. In the past, Evanston established and continues to enforce standards of housing quality. Today the challenge is for Evanston to adopt a citywide strategy for housing affordability, which uses the City's regulatory powers to create a housing market that serves the entire Evanston community, not just the wealthy. The Circle has gone on record as supporting the proposed development of the "Fresh Fields" site because it previously addressed two standards: a 10% set aside for affordable housing, which addressed housing cost and the proximity to public transit and downtown, which addressed transportation costs. The Circle encouraged Council to use the previously proposed set -asides in this development as a precedent for what needs to be a requirement of the City code. Set asides require that a certain percentage of all new housing units in developments over a certain size be permanently set aside for affordable housing. This policy ensures that, even as the stock of upper income housing increases, the opportunities for affordable housing increase as well. The Circle asked the Council to establish and empower an Evanston Housing Set -Aside Task Force to review the use of set asides in new construction elsewhere in the country and within six months, propose a set -aside ordinance for Evanston. They asked for a moratorium on any further condominium conversions of rental units until the Evanston Housing Set -Aside Task Force has made its report and a citywide policy has been adopted. She noted that set -asides are one element of a comprehensive housing affordability strategy and the continuing conversion of rental units. Gladvs Brver, 550 Sheridan Sq., chairman, Evanston Environment Board, invited all to a meeting October 17 on Evanston's Electric Future at the main Library Community Meeting Room. This meeting will be videotaped and she hoped Council could see it at a future date. Two events are coming that affect electric power: the renegotiation of the ComEd franchise and the deregulation of electrical energy. Brian Miller,, 1820 Chicago Ave., Northwestern -Associated Student Government/Evanston City Council Liaison, said he was presenting the will of students; that students do not hold the same beliefs as the University's administration or City Council and are not puppets of the administration. His neutrality allows him to see events from the outside with a fresh viewpoint and one the Council and administration could use. Only 19 years old, never in his experience has he seen two sides illustrate such an inability to compromise and refuse to acknowledge the points of the other. The same rigid stances of the administration/Council are expressed repeatedly, whether the arguments are made in The Daily /6 Y 3 October 8, 2001 Northwestern by a professor or an alderman in the Evanston Review. He stated it is time to try another approach to improve relations. He strongly believed progress can be made through the students and what they have to offer. He noted many believe students have no power at Northwestern. In the past that was true, but currently led by ASG students have increased their stake in campus decision -making. Threats exchanged between the administration and City Council have not brought about change, so why not attempt to work through the students. He related experiencing a nightmare that in 20 years the location would be called Northwestern, Ill., because the University had separated from the City. Unfortunately Council problems are often confused with the relationship between Northwestern and Evanston. He suggested Evanston and Northwestern have a much to offer each other; noted that Northwestern provides scenic parks/beautiful buildings/events/plays/great sports and national exposure for the City. The City provides a downtown, restaurants, beaches, people and beautiful neighborhoods. They should work to combine the attributes. After his nightmare he continued to dream of a new relationship between Evanston/Northwestern. In a local newspaper the headline would not be about a historic district or other problems, but actual positive attributes between the University and Evanston. There could be positive articles in The Daily or Evanston Review about things that are going on between the two entities. As the liaison, he will try to improve that relationship. 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; 2002 Motor Fuel Tax Program; Ordinance 102-0-01 — Trial Program for Booting on Private Property in Central Business District; Ordinance 95-0-01 — Authorization for Sale of Property at 1816 Darrow; and Ordinance 103-0-01 — Special Use and Variances for Second Baptist Church. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Roll call. Voting aye — Wynne, Kent, Moran, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (7-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of September 24, 2001. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending September 27, 2001, and the City of Evanston bills for the period ending October 9, 2001 and that they be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston payroll (through 9/27/01) $1,815,972.58 City of Evanston bills (through 10/09/01) $3,549,619.26 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) * Approval of the lowest responsive and responsible bid of Instituform Technologies USA, Inc. for the 2001 Sewer Lining program for the Water & Sewer Division at a cost of $154,487. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) * Approval of the renewal of the contract with Initial Security, for security at the Church St. and Sherman Ave. garages at a billing rate of $15.35 per hour. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) * Approval of the renewal of the contract with CPS Parking for management services at the Church St. and Sherman Ave. garages at a cost of $34,426 per month for the two garages. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) �'()s October 8, 2001 ■OMM■ * Resolution 72-R-01 — Amendment to License Agreement — Consideration of proposed Resolution 72-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to enter into a license agreement with John & Eileen Henderson for use of park land for access to a private residence for a renovation project. APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (7-0) * Resolution 73-R-01 — License Agreement with American Society of Composers. Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) — Consideration of proposed Resolution 73-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to sign a license agreement with ASCAP for public performances of musical composition on City premises at City -sponsored events and functions. * APPROVED —CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (7-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Plat of Consolidation at 2735 Sheridan Rd. — Consideration of a recommendation of the Site Plan & Appearance Review Committee to approve a plat of consolidation at 2735 Sheridan Rd., consolidating the "flag" portion of 572 Isabella St. zoning lot with the 2735 Sheridan Rd. zoning lot. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (7-0) * Ordinance 106-0-01 — Amending the Comprehensive Plan Creating the Church Street Plaza Special Sign District — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 106-0-01, which amends the Comprehensive Plan creating the Church Street Plaza Special Sign District. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA * Ordinance 100-0-01 — Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment — Satellite Dish Antennas — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 100-0-01, introduced September 24, 2001, which approves a recommendation of the Plan Commission to amend the Zoning Ordinance regarding satellite dish antennas, thereby eliminating potential conflicts with FCC regulations. * ADOPTED CONSENT AGENDA AND ROLL CALL (7-0) HUMAN SERVICES: * Approval of Township Monthly Bills — Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve the Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of August 2001 in the amount of $75,967.62. *"APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) * Approval of Township Monthly Bills — Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve the Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of September 2001 in the amount of $63,958.90. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) OTHER COMMITTEES: * Acceptance of 2001 Audit — Consideration of a recommendation to accept the FY 2001 Audit. APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (7-0) * Ordinance 105-0-01 — First Amendment to Sherman Plaza Redevelopment Agreement — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 105-0-01, which approves the First Amendment to the Sherman Plaza Redevelopment Agreement. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES 1 1 M6 5 October 8, 2001 ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Alderman Moran reported the proposal of O'Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects for a feasibility study for Robert Crown Center for the Parks/Forestry & Recreation Department at a cost of $70,500 was held in committee. 2002 Motor Fuel Tax Program Approval - Consideration of a recommendation to approve the 2002 MFT Program of proposed streets for resurfacing. Alderman Moran reported that this item was held in committee. Ordinance 102-0-01 — Trial Program for Immobilization (Booting) of Vehicles on Private Property in Central Business District — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 102-0-01, introduced September 24, 2001, which would provide for a six-month trial program for booting of vehicles on private property by private entities in the Central Business District. Alderman Moran reported the committee vote was 2-2 and moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Rainey opposed this noting that staff recommended doing it with regulation, which burdens the City. The booting company will pay a $1,000 license fee. She commented that currently retail is facing a crunch and the downtown needs to flourish. She read from one of the company's signs "Warning — reserved parking for Burger King customers only — if occupants leave the private parking lot for any reason for any length before or after eating at this location the vehicle will be immediately immobilized." She thought most responsible people don't do that but some people might forget and step off the property and, if they do, will get booted. She noted that people who come here to spend, if they get booted will pay $105. She suggested writing down the name/phone number of every aldermen who votes for this and to call them when they get booted and not to call her. She described this as a malevolent, Wild West attempt by this company to make money off of people's shortcomings. She recalled the ordinance said "10 minutes" not "immediately." She suggested not participating in any business that hires this booting company. The only way the booting company makes money is by booting people's cars. If all are responsible and never slip up, these people are out of business. Alderman Jean Baptiste also opposed adding another set of issues citizens have to deal with that have the potential of creating confrontation, animosity and other possibilities including litigation. He thought others saw the necessity to go forward with this program but he did not see a dire need for it. He thought the company is trying to access this market and win over merchants to participate. If it has not been a real issue, he did not see why they were chasing it. He understood that Burger King has used this company in the past and if they choose to do that, fine, but don't open the door for proliferation throughout the downtown, which will only create more problems. Alderman Moran recalled debating this over a long period. He explained this action was to approve a test period and was not a final decision. There is a difference of opinion about the value of this service. He hoped they were moving toward a trial period of six-month duration and at the end they would have the opportunity to make an assessment of the program. He urged people to keep in mind, even if this were voted down, owners of private lots have the opportunity to have cars towed, taken to a distant lot and those towed pay an even larger fee than this program, which he thought was worse. There is a requirement that the boot not be kept on more than 10 minutes. He termed it an irritant and acknowledged the profit motive of the booting company; asked that they consider this proposal came from commercial entities that came to Council requesting this service. He urged support in order to evaluate it. Alderman Rainey did not know where they got the Burger King sign. She found it interesting that it said "immediately" whereas, the City's licensing regulation says it will be "10 minutes." This concerned her and they have no evidence they can trust this company. She was not comforted because a couple of Chicago aldermen have heard no complaints about this program in their wards. She saw this as an "un-Evanston" action by this Council; noted it is a pilot program but the person who is booted won't think about this as a pilot program. The only people who can boot are those on the lot. It is different than towing. She did not think people want to be towed or booted. People want to do the responsible thing. She noted these people will sit on the lot in a vehicle waiting to pounce on an individual's car. She urged people not to f 6-? 6 October 8, 2001 participate in establishments that have this program, because there is a good likelihood that person will slip up. Alderman Wynne asked for clarification on the boundaries of the Central Business District. Assistant to the City Manager Mark Franz stated the 3rd and 5`" wards are not in it. The boundaries are Ridge Avenue, Hinman Avenue, Lake Street and Emerson Street/Elgin Road. Roll call. Voting aye — Wynne, Kent, Moran, Feldman, Newman. Voting nay — Rainey, Jean -Baptiste. Motion carried 5-2 . PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance 95-0-01 — Authorization to Enter into a Real Estate Contract for Sale of Property at 1816 Darrow Ave. — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 95-0-01, which approves a recommendation of the Housing Commission to authorize the City Manager to enter into a real estate contract for the sale of property at 1816 Darrow Ave. Alderman Kent asked that Ordinance 95-0-01 be marked introduced. Alderman Moran supported this and had seen the parameters necessary for a family to buy this property on the basis of affordable housing based on the City selling the lot for $1. Noting this will be the first of several such efforts, he suggested the need for a selection process for the homebuyer. He noted the opportunity to buy a home on this basis was a good opportunity for a family and because of this opportunity he thought there would be substantial interest for any property available for purchase. He would feel more comfortable if the question of how that selection will be made is addressed. The generic description is a minimum family size of three/maximum size of six, homebuyer education, and an Evanston resident or employed in Evanston for at least two years. He asked how will that family be selected beyond meeting those qualifications? They need to assure people that the process will be fair and deliberate. Council needs to know how the family will be selected and who will make that selection. Alderman Rainey was concerned that Mr. Davidson be given a timeframe in which he gets a loan commitment or closes on a loan, noting that provision is in the Klutznick project agreement. They know construction is supposed to start in four months and finish in a year. She believed this needed to be spelled out to the person the City is selling the land for $1 to secure financing. She confirmed that Mr. Leineweber is an associate of Mr. Davidson. She asked if it had been spelled out in any contract that Mr. Leineweber is going to design and build this house? Mayor Morton suggested all this information be made available to Council before they vote on it. Alderman Kent said this information would be provided. He indicated that Housing Planner Roberta Schur was working with Mr. Davidson and Mr. Leineweber on this. They know there are many families in Evanston in need of housing such as this and hope to develop a pool of potential buyers. They talked about the Habitat for Humanity program, where the buyer provided some sweat equity. Ordinance 103-0-01 — Special Use and Variances for Second Baptist Church at 1717 Benson Ave. — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 103-0-01, introduced September 24, 2001, which approves a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a religious institution special use; and building height, FAR and parking variations to allow a six -story addition to the rear of the church. Alderman Kent related the following amendments to this ordinance: First page: mid -section after Ordinance, respectively, and recommended City Council approval thereof: and (Insert) "WHEREAS subsequent to the ZBA's approval to the applicant, the applicant appeared at the Planning and Development Committee on October 8, 2001 and withdrew their request for the parking variation." Alderman Kent stated they came in with a letter stating they were offering 20 parking spaces and 17 was recommended. loy 7 October 8, 2001 Alderman Kent asked the following be inserted after, its September 24, 2001 "and October 8. 2001 meetings" recommended City Council approval of the application JInsert) "with a condition to provide for fulfillment of the parking requirement which is the 17 spaces by lease from the Citv." Page 2, Section 3: c. is deleted in its entiretv. Last sentence on page 2: respectively, (Insert) "these conditions are" herebv imposed: Page 3, the new amendment: "That the applicant will fulfill its requirement to provide 17 off-street parking spaces by leasing said spaces within 1,000 feet of the premises. Said lease shall be in writing and shall be in the form and content satisfactory to the City and shall be filed with the Zoning Division within 10 days of the passage of this ordinance;, failure to provide the 17 spaces by written lease shall void the grant." This was discussed in the committee and agreed upon between the architect and representatives. Alderman Kent moved approval of Ordinance 103-0-01 as amended. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Moran said aside from the parking, there are two other major variations and asked for discussion in the P&D Committee on those. He noted in the summary on the height and the FAR, there is an increase respectively of 50% over the permitted maximum building height and 40% on the FAR. Alderman Kent said there was no in-depth discussion regarding that. They discussed what they are trying to do, which centered largely on the 17 parking spaces that need to be provided. The Health Department supervisor talked about the narrow alley and dealing with the dumpster/refuse problem. The architect said that would be addressed in the plan. Alderman Newman supported this because it was similar to the Evanston Athletic Club expansion. Roll call. Voting aye — Wynne, Kent, Moran, Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (7-0). CALL OF THE WARDS: 3" Ward. No report 4" Ward. No report 5" Ward. Alderman Kent reported they are getting the first drawings in on the Heritage House museum planned at 1817 Church St. Plans are to sell tickets to a February benefit featuring the Joffrey Ballet. He invited residents to a meeting at noon, Saturday, October 13 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center on traffic flow in the 5`h Ward at Family Focus. He announced Thursday, October 11 there will be a neighborhood planning committee meeting at the center. Wednesday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m. he will meet with Northwestern University representatives and a few neighbors to address problems with student housing. In response to Mayor Morton, Alderman Kent said in many cases these are absentee landlords. When they find slumlords, they hope to notify parents and landlords of unacceptable living conditions for students. 61h Ward. Alderman Moran reported on an assessment of Evanston streets by an independent contractor at the A&PW Committee meeting that evening. He noted various parameters were set out as to what the City will need to do to keep Jc1 8 October 8, 2001 the condition of streets the same at the current rate of funding, the possibility of streets degrading and what would have to be done to improve the condition of streets. He reported there was a good discussion, this was a positive first step and the City has a clear framework with which to work based on an evaluation on a block by block basis. 7" Ward. No report. 8`h Ward. Alderman Rainey requested staff provide year-to-date revenues specifically broken out and expenditures at the October 17 special Council meeting. She reported a group of neighbors and the Preservation Commission have set up a meeting November 1 that will begin researching the possibility of Hull Terrace to Dobson Street, between Asbury and Ridge avenues being deemed a preservation district based on the prevalence of the Chicago bungalow. She noted this month's Chicago Magazine has an article on the south end of Evanston and its Chicago bungalows, which have been identified as highly significant. Alderman Rainey responded to comments about a suggested moratorium on condominium conversions made during Citizen Comment. She stated if the Interreligious Sustainability Circle looked into the archives of the late 1970s, they would see that Alderman Rainey and others got a moratorium on condominium conversions in Evanston. The reason it was done was that the City and State had little experience in converting rental apartments to condos. At that time, many well -maintained apartment buildings were sold for significant amounts even then. Moratorium supporters believed regulation was needed. The moratorium went into effect, was challenged in court and upheld as constitutional. Then a protective ordinance was developed. She suggested what the Circle does not understand today, is the buildings in south Evanston that converted are being saved from bulldozers. While there is a dire need for rental housing, any housing of good quality is better than none at all. If they believe the housing being converted to condominium is affordable housing they need to think again. They are talking about slum properties that are renting for $90041,200 a month, which is not . affordable for the people who will buy the house on Darrow. She wished for an opportunity to speak to the Circle. Alderman Newman moved that Alderman Rainey be permitted to speak beyond five minutes. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Rainey stated people will find many buildings converted in south Evanston were owned by people who skirted the law, who broke the back of the City' Property Standards Division and had judges and the law protect them through bankruptcy court. She described a boarded up building, in which downtown attorneys cannot get a judge to set a date so the building can be sold due to legal maneuvering. A man purchased this building September 1997 and made one mortgage payment. Over her dead body will this Council support a moratorium on conversions that would prevent that building from being sold to a developer who could make it whole again. She stated that these reactions to the need for affordable housing require more study. They have learned from a study done by Tracey Cross for the City that in the last decade in Cook County only 9,000 units of rental housing have been built. There is an opportunity on Lake Street to build an apartment building. She urged support for it whether it has affordable units or not and believes conversions in south Evanston have improved the community. 9" Ward. Alderman Feldman thanked Council for support of the amendment for Sherman Avenue Plaza. At the Economic Development Committee he reported there was a presentation on the new condominium development and that the project was getting better and the development will shine. He said he is getting many calls from people who like the sidewalk for strolling in James Park. He invited all to visit the site of the new Levy Center. He reported receiving many requests from residents for speed humps. People believe they help and make a difference. 1" Ward. Alderman Newman said that everything going on in James Park is a benefit to the City. They are investing in the City's largest park (45 acres). Regarding Alderman Rainey's comments on condominium conversions, he urged people to visit Clyde Avenue noting there is a renaissance in south Evanston due to the conversions. 9 October 8, 2001 Alderman Newman appreciated the report on streets. He hoped they would have a similar meeting on garbage cans and need to see whether claims of the contractor can be substantiated. He made a reference to the A&PW Committee to report on the progress and schedule for enhancing the Tallmadge streetlights in Evanston. He said there is a need for coordination on the lighting and tree trimming. Alderman Newman made a references to the Human Services Committee that Chief Kaminski report when and if the problem solving team can be back to the level it was several years ago. He made a reference to the Rules Committee pertaining to information distributed by the City Manager's office. He said there are minutes of the Parking Committee and they need to be distributed to the A&PW Committee. He noted there are long memos drafted by the Library Director regarding the financial request of the Budget Committee that no Council member got. He obtained them by requesting them from the Library Board president. The memo goes into detail on what the library would do other than closing branches. He said those documents need to come to Council. Mayor Morton asked Council for approval to extend time to Alderman Newman. There were no objections. He stated one item requiring more funds for the library is to update their website regularly. He noted the City hired somebody to update the City's website and why could that person not update that web site? He wanted the Rules Committee to look at documents distributed by the City Manager's office from the various committees so they will have a list of what is distributed. Mayor Morton praised the brief bullet point minutes of what was discussed at the Plan Commission with more detailed minutes to follow later. 2"d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste echoed the concern of the Northwestern student who saw the need to build a better with relationship with Northwestern and other non-profit organizations. He said the process needs to be approached intentionally and if there is a committee in place, it needs to be resurrected and, if not, they need a process in place so there can be ongoing dialogue. Acknowledging the ongoing litigation, he saw other areas they need to work on with Northwestern and other non -profits. He asked the City manager for an update. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted recently that street level drug pushers were swept off the street. About a week after the sweep he saw a young man he knew standing on a comer with another and inquired about what he was doing. He said this young man was kicked out of high school when he was a freshman and now is in an alternative school in Des Plaines. He recalled when he was in high school, when people were kicked out, they were put in a room and were literally "warehoused." He did not know what was happening in Des Plaines. To address street crime, they need vigilant policing but must find a way to save youth who are falling through the cracks. He wanted to see the City/School Liaison Committee resurrected to see what can be done with youth. He said there are few people enforcing expectations and many of these youth are involved in street level drugs and vandalism. He asked the Council and School Boards to exercise some leadership that will impact this situation and urged the police to go after the drug suppliers. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 10:25 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. 1 1 1 1