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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2001-08-13-2001CITY COUNCIL August 13, 2001 ea00000r_ ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Feldman Alderman Bernstein Alderman Newman Alderman Moran Alderman Jean -Baptiste A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Aldermen Rainey, Wynne, Kent, Engelman ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Monday, August 13, 2001 at 6:13 p.m. in the Aldermanic Library. Alderman Jean -Baptiste moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to real estate pursuant to 5ILCS Section 120/2(c) (5) and (6). (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Roll call. Voting aye — Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Engelman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried (8-0). At 7:03 p.m. Alderman Newman moved to reconvene into Open Session. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Motion carried. No nays. Council then recessed so that aldermen could attend standing committee meetings. Mayor Morton reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:18 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. City Manager Announcements: Parks/Forestry & Recreation Director Doug Gaynor announced that because many lifeguards have returned to school, Clark Street and South Boulevard beaches will probably close August 25, while other beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend. In response to Alderman Feldman, Mr. Gaynor stated when beaches are closed, staff will be present to keep people out of the water during beach hours. Mr. Gaynor invited citizens to the ribbon -cutting ceremony of a public art mural "Summertime Fantasy" on the CTA retaining wall east of the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Thursday, August 16 from 4-6 p.m. It was created by youth that participated in ArtSkills 2001, a joint project of the City's Cultural Arts Division and the Summer Youth Employment Program. He reported_a another successful summer youth employment program was at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater, where 17 Evanston teens spent time writing, staging and performing the play Crossroads. �w 2 August 13, 2001 Division Fire Chief Sam Hunter, on behalf of the Evanston Sister City Committee, invited residents to celebrate a day in the park with Evanston's Sister City, Belize City on Saturday, August 18, from 12-8 p.m. at Ingraham Park. Human Relations Commission Executive Director Paula Haynes and Police Chief Frank Kaminski invited all to the 4`h annual CommUNITY Picnic Sunday, August 26, from 12-5 p.m. at Ingraham Park. City Manager Roger Crum announced Monday, September 3, Labor Day, would be a city holiday with refuse pick ups one day later (i.e. Monday pick ups on Tuesday, etc.) and the next City Council meeting would be September 10. Chief Kaminski reported a dedication ceremony for landscaping in front of the police station on August 8. The project was done by volunteers who are graduates of the Citizens Police Academy and coordinated by Vicky Wagner. Mayor Morton expressed gratitude to the citizens who have done much for the City. Communications: None CITIZEN COMMENT: Jean Esch,, 917 Elmwood Ave., spoke about the August 6 Human Services Committee meeting where she heard accusative discourtesy toward some taxicab operators here. Later she learned that the aldermen's discomfort was because the rate increase was to be discussed and a decision made, but also a $5 coupon was added that neither aldermen nor taxicab operators knew about. She served on the Taxicab Advisory Board since 1992 and it last met in May 1999; reported making numerous trips to meet with the Finance Director to find out why the board was not meeting and was told staff was working on a new ordinance and no point in meeting until the ordinance was finished. She did not understand why an ordinance would be written without conferring with taxicab owners. She said the Taxicab Advisory Board had an excellent chair who left due to a (former) staff person. She found level of discourtesy at committee and Council meetings disturbing and said that Evanston deserves better. CONSENT AGENDA (Any item marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with these exceptions: Approval of Wolff Clements & Associates proposal for Butler Park; Approval of Harry S. Peterson Co. bid for Church St. Self -Park; Ordinance 90-0- 01 — Amends Taxicab Rates; Major Variations at 622 & 624 Davis St.; Planned Development for 1930 Ridge Ave., Ordinance 88-0-01- Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Required Parking for Multifamily Residential; Ordinance 89-0-01 — Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment: B3 at Main & Chicago; and Resolution 64-R-01 — Fifth Amendment to Agreement with AHC Evanston, LLC. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Roll call. Voting aye —Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Engelman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). * ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES: * Approval of Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of July 23, 2001 and of the Special City Council Meeting of July 21, 2001. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: * Approval, as recommended, of the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending August 2, 2001, and the City of Evanston bills for the period ending August 14, 2001 and that they be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: 3 August 13, 2001 City of Evanston payroll (through 8/02/01) $1,994,007.61 City of Evanston bills (through 8/14/01) $3,878,136.93 * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the purchase of an HP Server from Forsythe Solutions for the Information Systems Division at a cost of $56,445.72. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #1 to the construction contract for Service Center Parking Deck Repairs with Chicagoland Construction Co. to (1) extend the completion date and (2) increase quantities of several waterproofing items, increasing the contract price by $11,000. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Special Event — Sister CitvBelize Picnic — Consideration of a recommendation to hold the Sister City annual picnic August 18 at Ingraham Park from noon to 8:00 p.m. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Special Event — CommUNITY Picnic — Consideration of a recommendation to hold the annual Evanston CommUNITY Picnic on Sunday, August 26, from noon to 5:00 p.m. in Ingraham Park. APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Acceptance of Grant — Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council accept a 2001 Law Enforcement Block Grant from the Federal Government. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 57-R-01 — Easement Agreement with Optima Inc. — Consideration of proposed Resolution 57-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an easement agreement with Optima Inc. to use existing foundation wall and sidewalk vault on public right-of-way at the 800 Davis St. development. * APPROVED — CONSENT ,AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 60-R-01 — Intergovernmental Agreement to Reconstruct Portions of Sheridan Rd. and Isabella St. — Consideration of proposed Resolution 60-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Wilmette for reconstruction of Sheridan Road from 10`' St. to Isabella St., and Isabella St. from Bryant Ave. to Sheridan Rd. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 59-R-01 — Approval of MFT Resolution for Phase I & II Engineering Costs, — Consideration of proposed Resolution 59-R-01 to authorize approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution to allocate $33,000 for the Evanston portion of an engineering study of portions of Sheridan Rd. and Isabella St. * .APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Resolution 62-R-0I — Agreement with the CTA — Consideration of proposed Resolution 62-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to sign an agreement with the CTA to allow placement of an ArtSkills mural on the CTA wall across from the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION & ROLL CALL (9-0) * Ordinance 92-0-01 —Declaring Citv Property as Surplus — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 92-0-01, which declares various items of City property as surplus so that the vehicles and other equipment may be publicly offered for sale at the Village of Fox Lake auction on October 6, 2001. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA 4 August 13, 2001 * Ordinance 91-0-01 — Vacation of Allev — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 91-0-01, which vacates a portion of the alley behind 1327 and 1403 South Blvd. * MARKED INTRODUCED — CONSENT AGENDA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: * Sidewalk Cafe Permit with Liquor — Oceanioue — Consideration of a recommendation to approve a sidewalk cafe/liquor request for Oceanique, a Type 1 restaurant located at 505 Main St. APPROVED— CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Plat of Re -subdivision — 1327-1403 South Blvd. — Consideration of a recommendation of the Site Plan & Appearance Review Committee to grant a plat of re -subdivision of 1327-1403 South Blvd. * APPROVED— CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) HUMAN SERVICES: * Approval of Township Monthlv Bills — Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve Township bills, payroll and medical payments for the month of July 2001 in the amount of $86,349.50. * APPROVED— CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Special Event — YMCA Annual Indian Guides and Princesses Lakefront Camnout — Consideration of a request to use Centennial Park for this annual campout from 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22 to noon Sunday, September 23, 2001. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) OTHER COMMITTEES: * Resolution 61-R-01 — Second Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement for 1880 and 1881 Oak Ave. — Consideration of proposed Resolution 61-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement with Glenlake (formerly Scribcor) to extend the start of construction for 1881 Oak Ave. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked for introduction of the following appointments: Kevin C. Miller Board of Ethics 2419 Lincoln St. Gloria Bernard Commission on Aging 1206 Dewey Ave. Martin P. Norkett Economic Development Committee 2430 Ridgeway Ave. Rob Grossinger Housing Commission 3029 Hartzell St. Latonia Midderhoff Human Relations Commission 616 Michigan Ave. M• 5 August 13, 2001 Mary O. Brugliera Preservation Commission 1304 Wesley Ave. Tamara Lee Heller Taxicab Advisory Board 1233 Chicago Ave. Stephen M. Reiches Zoning Board of Appeals 715 Milburn St. Ed Walsh Zoning Board of Appeals 1317 Jenks St. Mayor Morton asked for introduction of the following reappointments: Ruth Gockel Commission 2226 Central St. on Aging Laura Saviano Public Art Committee 540 Hinman Ave. * APPROVED — CONSENT AGENDA REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS: Approval of the proposal of Wolff Clements & Associates, Ltd. to provide landscape architectural and engineering services for Butler Park redevelopment for Parks/Forestry & Recreation at a cost of $66,289. Alderman Moran reported that this item was held in committee. Alderman Kent noted this project is in the 51h Ward; asked what the concerns of the committee were and in the future, if there are projects in the 5`h Ward, he is made aware of them. He could offer information and assistance. Alderman Feldman suggested that Alderman Kent come to the next committee meeting. Alderman Moran moved approval of the lowest responsive and responsible bid of Harry S. Peterson Co. for joint replacement and concrete repairs at the Church Street Self -Park at a cost of $148,465. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Newman asked for an explanation of what went wrong on a ten-year old structure to require this repair? Facilities Management Director Max Rubin stated this is a wearable item of rubber, not concrete, which goes between concrete slabs. Staff will research the life expectancy of this product and report. He said there are similar joints at the Maple Avenue garage. Alderman Newman noted the memo stated deteriorated concrete. Mr. Rubin said to repair the joint they may need to break concrete to fit it in and suggested it could be spalled concrete, but did not believe it was structural. Alderman Feldman said the purpose of questioning was to determine whether they could learn anything from that garage as they proceed to build another one. He was assured that rubber expansion joints deteriorate similar to tires. Roll call. Voting aye — Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Engelman. Voting nay — none. Motion carried (9-0). Ordinance 90-0-01 — Amending the Citv Code Regarding a Taxicab Rate Increase and Changes to the Senior Citizen Coupon Rate — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 90-0-01, introduced July 23, -�b 6 August 13, 2001 2001, by which City Council would amend Section 3-19-6-3(A) of the City Code to increase taxicab rates to be comparable with other municipalities in the area and amend the senior citizen coupon rate. Alderman Moran stated at the last meeting the initial portion of the amendment was "marked introduced" with a schedule of rates/charges for taxicabs and he was prepared to vote on that. He had questions for staff on the portion of the coupon program that was not introduced at the last meeting. He suggested they either separate the two and vote on the rates and accept the other as introduced or hold it over. Alderman Newman was not sure the coupon portion was an ordinance that needed to be introduced and could be taken as an amendment. Assistant Corporation Counsel Kathleen Brenniman explained that Ordinance 90-0-01 is an amendment, introduced at the last meeting and came from the A&PW Committee with just the taxi rates. The Human Services Committee then voted to increase the senior citizen coupon and since that is in the same part of the code, it could be handled as an amendment to the existing 90-0-01. Alderman Moran asked that Ordinance 90-0-01 be held. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Alderman Rainey moved to override the holdover. Seconded by Alderman Newman. Alderman Rainey recalled in discussing the cost of the senior citizen coupon program, that the coupon was too low and did not cover the fare for drivers and the taxicab rate has not increased since 1994. She did not think anyone was left out of the rate increase discussion and a component of that was to increase the senior coupon. The consensus of the Human Services Committee was not to increase the cost of coupon to senior citizens. Another part of this will be a massive advertising campaign to seniors who don't know about this program. This is part of a package, an amendment to an existing ordinance, and the coupon is also an amendment. She hoped they could move forward on this since the taxicabs have been burdened by higher fuel costs, which is essential for their business. They have asked taxicabs to take senior citizens anywhere in Evanston for $3 a ride and now it will be $5 per ride. Mayor Morton asked aldermen to address the motion to hold over. Alderman Feldman noted that at the Human Services Committee meeting, a representative of the taxicab operators was skeptical that action would be taken. He was willing to stay while Alderman Moran sought information he needed in order to vote. He urged Council to override the motion to hold over; suggested this has gone on too long and taxi operators deserve a raise and addition of the $5 coupon strengthens the ordinance. Alderman Jean -Baptiste supported the motion to override the holdover; recalled about six weeks ago the Human Services Committee had a hearing packed with seniors and disabled persons who reported on taxi service they received. There was some self-criticism by Council due to not addressing a rate or coupon increase and they learned that the Taxicab Advisory Board was not meeting. Since that time, staff had met with the drivers and told them concerns of seniors and the disabled and processes have been put in place to educate and sensitize drivers. Staff was asked to prepare a rate increase, do a comparative study and respond. At the last Human Services Committee meeting, staff came back with a specific proposal to incorporate the senior citizens coupon as an amendment to the ordinance to increase the rate. The committee looked at those issues and determined to move forward. He suggested Alderman Moran may not have been aware of the activities involved to move things forward. Alderman Newman pointed out they started this process due to the problems they heard about with the senior coupon program. Senior citizens and people with special needs told them they needed to improve the program. One discovery was that the coupon price was too low and unfair to drivers and coupon users. Alderman Rainey suggested that rates be increased first, then set a fair coupon price. He thought if they did not act, they would lose credibility with the drivers. 7 August 13, 2001 Alderman Moran did not think there was a credibility issue. The A&PW Committee passed the rate increase unanimously and he was prepared to vote for it. He did not think he had the minutes of the specific committee meetings; thought there would be a lot that would be helpful in them and wished for an opportunity to read them. The agenda contained a memo on the various rate options. He called several staff to speak about this, but no one was available. Alderman Feldman supported the override because of the benefit to cab drivers with the $5 coupon and there was mounting disappointment by many people. Council action was to try to give people what they need as much as possible and they were attempting to solve the problem. He said there was great discomfort for both cab drivers and senior citizens. The result was to deal with the cause with a good increase in the rate and the coupon. To hold the coupon for a month, while the rate was raised, would make an even more dramatic difference between the coupon and the fare that could be charged without a coupon. Roll call. Voting aye — Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean-Baptiste,Wynne. Voting nay — Bernstein, Kent, Moran, Engelman. Motion failed (5-4). (Six votes required.) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Maior Variations at 622 and 624 Davis St. — Consideration of a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny a request for major variations necessary to construct a new four-story mixed -use building at 622 Davis St. Alderman Engelman moved to reject the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny this request for major variations at 622 and 624 Davis St. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. First Assistant Corporation Counsel Herb Hill stated in this scenario the Council needs an ordinance to do a positive act. At the next meeting an ordinance would be introduced with appropriate findings to support the action of the Council. Voice vote, motion carried. No nays. In response to a question from Mayor Morton, Community Development Director James Wolinski reported the ZBA voted to deny the zoning variation. Because of that, there was no ordinance to present. He recalled on several occasions there was a desire to have an alternate ordinance but Corporation Counsel thought that was inappropriate and the practice was stopped. The vote from the committee was to overturn the denial. Alderman Feldman confirmed that an ordinance could be introduced and adopted at the next meeting. Planned Development for 1930 Ridge Ave. — Consideration of the Plan Commission recommendation to deny the application of Evanston Realty Partners, LLC, for a map amendment to rezone R6 and for a planned unit development of the aforementioned property. Ordinance 88-0-01 — Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Reauired Parking for Multifamilv Residential — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 88-0-01, which approves a recommendation of the Plan Commission to change the requirement so that new multifamily uses in any district provide parking at a rate of a minimum of 1'/4 spaces per dwelling unit, with 1'/z spaces required for two - bedroom units; 2 spaces for more than two bedrooms. Alderman Engelman reported that these two items were held in committee. Ordinance 89-0-01 — Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment: B3 at Main & Chicago — Consideration of proposed Ordinance 89-0-01, introduced July 23, 2001, which approves a recommendation of the Plan Commission concerning appropriate zoning for the current B3 District along Main St. and Chicago Ave. -22- 8 August 13, 2001 At the request of the committee, Alderman Engelman asked that this item be held at Council and referred back to the P&D Committee. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Engelman reported an extensive presentation to the P&D Committee by the Sign Review and Appeals Board about its plans to redo the Sign Ordinance, which will require all signs to be brought into compliance by the end of the amortization period. The P&D Committee directed the Sign Review and Appeals Board to meet with all business districts, the Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association and all other business groups to discuss the proposed changes which affect constituencies, including car dealerships, before coming back to the committee. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: Alderman Newman asked if the Human Services Committee minutes are distributed to the entire Council? Mr. Crum said they are. Alderman Newman stated many senior citizens and persons with disabilities attended the July meeting. Those minutes were approved at the August 6 Human Services Committee meeting. He noted they were not in the packet that evening and asked when alderman not on the committee would receive those minutes? Alderman Newman asked that all minutes backing up an agenda item be included, because Council's work is delayed without them. Alderman Newman reported that a large group of people attended the August 6 Human Services Committee. When they discussed taxi service this summer, it was alleged that certain drivers mistreated people. One person with special needs, who refused to give her name, told how important it is to have taxi service to get to various places and the lack of dignity with which drivers had treated her. A constituent, who forgot her coupon, was literally chased into her building lobby and chastised in front of neighbors by a cab driver because she forgot her coupon. He noted that Alderman Rainey pointed out they would have a hard time with the drivers' behavior if drivers did not get fair rates. At that time, they asked staff to bring the rate increase to the A&PW Committee first and get that going, which was done because of concern about the coupon program. They were told by the taxicab companies that even with increased rates, a $5 coupon might not be good enough. There was a suggestion of a $7 and $9 coupon. The people who came to the committee were there because of complaints by citizens. They discovered that the Taxicab Advisory Board had not met for two years. He did not think staff was responsible for calling meetings, rather it was the responsibility of citizens. No one complained that the committee had acted improperly. To him, getting the coupon program straightened out was the driving impetus for this action. Alderman Newman reported the committee had requested a report from an auditor on issues due to allegations made about the Township Assessor. OTHER COMMITTEES: Resolution 64-R-01 — Fifth Amendment to Agreement with AHC Evanston, LLC — Consideration of proposed Resolution 64-R-01, which authorizes the City Manager to execute the Fifth Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement with the Arthur Hill Co. regarding the Church Street Plaza project. Alderman Feldman moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Mr. Crum explained a first draft of the resolution was in their packets. On their desks were two versions of the updated draft. The black line version showed the updates, the other was the final draft with changes incorporated into it. Alderman Moran stated that he did not have an opportunity to read the final draft. He noted a change in what was in the redevelopment agreement prior to this amendment with the Hill Company. In that agreement, the City negotiated a density payment for the residential parcel directly south of the Maple Avenue garage. If a residential building were to be built and had units above a certain number, the developer would pay the City a fee for each unit over the floor number. If that formula were to be applied to the building now proposed for that site, the City would receive a payment just short of $1.7 million. The proposed amendment asked the City to take about $538,000 less than the agreed density payment of $1.7 million. He suggested Council not agree to this so the City could obtain its full density payment. 9 August 13, 2001 Alderman Newman noted because of the change in the project, the City would benefit. He stated that Hill spent $600- 700,000 in developing plans for a residential building, which would have generated $786,000 annually in real estate tax revenue. The new project that Hill has brought will generate $1.274 million in taxes. The developer, Optima, stated it would be closer to $1.6 million at the Economic Development Committee. In the next 20 years, the City will get an extra $10 million in tax revenue because of changes Mr. Hill has proposed. The City will get $500,000 annually in perpetuity because of improvements to this project. He urged Council to approve the City Manager's and Marty Stem's recommendations. He said Marty Stern was ahead of the game when he came up with the density payment. That suggestion put the City in an impressive position and earned substantial dollars. He thanked Mr. Stern for the wonderful job he did in negotiations. He urged passage of the resolution and to celebrate the last act the Council would take to complete the Research Park. He said there will be a large increment that will go to all taxing bodies in 2008. He also thanked Mr. Crum and Ms. Aiello for their efforts in putting this together. Alderman Feldman pointed out this will be a first-class building with remarkable architecture in addition to providing increased revenues. This developer is ready to go, the City needs the money and he was delighted to have Optima do a second building in Evanston. He urged support for the resolution. Roll call. Voting aye — Rainey, Feldman, Newman, Jean -Baptiste, Wynne, Bernstein, Kent. Voting nay — Moran, Engelman. Motion carried (7-2). CALL OF THE WARDS: 8" Ward. Alderman Rainey noted that evening's excitement with the last vote Council would make on Church Street Plaza, which she supported from the beginning. She reminded colleagues that while the City is successful with new projects, they have failed miserably in the neighborhoods. She mentioned that Administrative Adjudication will have a housing court call on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. One property on the docket is 121-123 Callan, a six -flat with more than 200 code violations and numerous police calls. There was a meeting at the Police Outpost about that building with 35 neighbors present. She found unconscionable the amount of tax dollars that go to pay for services to a building owned by Eddie Zipperstein and asked them to demand that these expenditures cease. One way to do that would be to license landlords. For every good landlord who opposes licensing, it is equivalent to throwing 100% of their support to the slumlords here. She asked the P&D Committee to bring the concept of licensing landlords back for consideration. 91' Ward. Alderman Feldman supported Alderman Rainey's request; recalled visiting Joliet where landlords are licensed and if there are code violations, the building is shut down. He noted one of the first things that happens is the income dries up and if people feel it in their pocketbook, they either do something or get out of the business. Licensing is a tool Evanston should have. He did not think good landlords had anything to fear and it would be used to eliminate unscrupulous practices that take the City down and the people who live in those buildings. He suggested Council get serious about this as it would be hard to get developers there when next door is a slum property that is not dealt with. Alderman Feldman predicted that in 45-50 days the world's best steaks and shakes would be on Oakton Street. 1" Ward. Alderman Newman made a reference to the A&PW Committee relating to Dower outages. He thought the City needs to do a better iob communicating the location of outages by blocks, why the Dower went out and whom people should call. He said outages in the V Ward have been worse than ever and asked for a regular protocol. Alderman Newman referred to the Human Relations Report put out by Executive Director Paula Haynes that tells about the Summer Youth Employment Program, statistics on landlord/tenant activities and asked that it be distributed to Council. He announced the Ken Arlen Orchestra would play at the Starlight Concert the next evening at 7:30 p.m. He noted that Northwestern University was holding a neighborhood meeting hosted by Lucille Krasnow on the 1800 block of Hinman Avenue at 7:00 p.m. He asked those who are interested to call the City Manager's office for the address. Alderman Newman complimented Mayor Morton on the fine appointments introduced that evening. He reported he returned from his Northwestern University 10-hour deposition and when they were in the sixth hour, the University 7� 10 August 13, 2001 attorneys wanted to go home but he refused to leave. He was used to long meetings, had gotten his second wind and wanted to stay for another two -three hours. He told the attorneys they could question him for up to 11 hours and did not want to have to come back. When he returned to Evanston that Tuesday evening, he noted a crowd of people waiting to get on the Metra train to go home from the movies. In the parking garage, he ran into people from Rogers Park who told him the 10 p.m. movie was packed. He went to the movies on Saturday night and noted lines for every movie. He stated Evanston's movies are doing well, downtown has changed, they are expanding the tax base and there are many things they can be proud of, but that was not to say they don't have an agenda for the rest of the City. 2"d Ward. Alderman Jean -Baptiste reported the recent opening of a new GNC franchise at the Dempster/Dodge shopping center, which is operated by a young couple who sell vitamins and nutritional goods. He commented that in discussions of taxicab rates/coupons, no drivers have come before them. He suggested those voices need to be heard and asked drivers not to despair because the rate ordinance was not passed; that by the next meeting all aldermen will be informed and Council will act on the matter. Alderman Jean -Baptiste announced public hearings would be held August 27 and September 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the main library on the possible relocation of the south branch library and the opening of a west side branch library. Alderman Jean -Baptiste clarified to Alderman Kent that the committee did not know the location of Butler Park from the packet. The key issue was who decided to spend the dollars. The committee understood that $375,000 was in the Capital Improvement Plan for renovating Butler Park, yet the work was budgeted for almost $800,000. He thought it was responsible to inquire about that. Alderman Jean -Baptiste reported being interviewed by the Sentinel and focusing on expectations for youth. He asked what are expectations of parents for leadership and does that not set the tone for youth? The day after his election he met with the City Manager and asked why the majority of senior City staff is almost all white males? The manager indicated the City could not find qualified people. There were plans to discuss the matter further. He thought it important that expectations have the objective of being equitable. He suggested the City wants the best staff possible with a mix that is diverse and competent. They must expect a genuine effort on the part of leaders that those objectives are met and important how people are developed at the City. He stated that expectations guide youth and, with the City and school system, if certain expectations are not expressed by the school system, ultimately they will spend the next decades seeing a major gap develop among citizens from various backgrounds. He was told the City -School Liaison Committee was inactive and has a low priority. He wanted to see this addressed to influence expectations in the schools and to see whether elected leadership could have an impact Y1 Ward. Alderman Wynne agreed with Alderman Newman that outages have been terrible and had received many calls. She stated the City needs to develop a centralized place where people can get information. She noted the report on ComEd in the packet and was interested in the next one because she thought last month was a throwback to six years ago. She suggested something is needed on the web site that suggests what people can do. Alderman Wynne urged all to attend the public meetings on the library. She requested the cost of making the south branch library ADA accessible before the August 27 meeting. 4" Ward. Alderman Bernstein was present at an apartment fire during the extreme heat; noted the firefighters were walking around in their gear then went to another call and thanked them for their work. He encouraged all to visit the beautifully landscaped police station noting on the north there is a "thinking garden" where people can meet. He said this cooperative venture was funded in large part by the Cherry Foundation. He thanked Paula and David Cherry; Vicky Wagner, the landscape architect who contributed her services and the alumni of the Citizens Police Academy, who planted the garden and will maintain it. 7S 11 August 13, 2001 Alderman Bernstein invited fellow aldermen to join he and Chief Kaminski in the dunk tank at the CommUNITY Picnic on August 26 and thanked the Keg for contributing food. He announced a Nichols Neighbors picnic on August 25 at Larimer Park. He sat in on an Administration Adjudication hearing recently and was impressed with the proceedings. He congratulated his daughter who will begin her career as an educator at Lincoln School this year. Alderman Bernstein asked where are the funds from Illinois First for Evanston viaducts and that Larry Suffredin be contacted. He wished all a happy Labor Day and to exercise care and respect for Lake Michigan waters. Vh Ward. Alderman Kent thanked Township Supervisor Pat Vance and Chief Kaminski, who sponsored the National Night Out picnic at Twiggs Park. He asked for information from Chief Kaminski on canine patrol use in surrounding communities and how Evanston could access Skokie's canine unit? Recognizing cost and space problems, he was interested in seeing foot patrol officers with canines. He stated at the next Council meeting they will hear a proposal for affordable housing in the 5`h Ward. 6`h Ward. Alderman Moran was disconcerted to hear about the recent outages, particularly on the day of the flood. He gave a brief summary by the Technical Review Group that has worked for two years following the latest agreement with ComEd. In that agreement, a group made up of Energy Commission members and consultants receive quarterly reports from ComEd on the progress of meeting commitments made to the City in June 1999. Since then, the Technical Review Group reported frequency and duration of outages has been reduced substantially. Frequency reduced from 1.55 per customer to 1.2 per average customer and the annual average duration of outages has gone from 268 minutes to 151 minutes. The group indicated that ComEd has complied with the agreement and demonstrated progress on several fronts. He was sure they would take up recent outages as they go forward and a list of significant projects would be completed by the end of 2001. 7`h Ward. Alderman Engelman hoped the speakers who said they had voted the last time on the movie complex were correct. He thanked Marty Stern for all his hard work, noting he saved the City money and made the project a better one. The more than half million paid to Stern sat better with him than the half million they gave away that evening because it was worth it. Speaking of paying professionals, he noted on the bills list S 123,000 for one month's legal bills for one law firm for three cases the City did not want to be in and had no choice. This covered 615 hours. He raised this because this has a significant budget impact and was not budgeted. He invited all to a Budget Policy Committee meeting Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Morton reminded all that the next City Council meeting would be Monday, September 10. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved at 11:17 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recordine of this meetinz has been made Dart of the Dermanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office. LJ 1 1 1