HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.19.16 Minutes
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER
JAMES C. LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday, September 19, 2016
Roll Call: Alderman Wynne Alderman Revelle
Alderman Wilson Alderman Rainey
Alderman Holmes Alderman Fiske
Alderman Tendam Alderman Braithwaite
Presiding: Mayor Tisdahl
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:07 PM.
Mayor Public Announcements and Proclamations
Mayor stated she had no announcements or Proclamations.
City Manager Public Announcements
The City Manager announced a Multi-Media Budget Outreach Meeting on September 21,
2016 from 7 PM – 9 PM. He will focus on Cable channel live, and will be looking for
questions submitted on Facebook & Twitter.
Alderman Rainey spoke on the Bike-The-Ridge Event on September 25, 2016, and she
said you do not have to start Howard or Church, but you can enter Ridge at any point.
Katty Knapp, Transportation & Mobility Coordinator stated Mayor Tisdahl will kick-off the
event at 9 Am at Ridge Ave & Howard Street. Bike repairs, free helmets while supplies
last. She also listed the supporters of Bike The Ridge. There will be many activities
available for the public and information will be on the city’s website.
Communications: City Clerk
The Clerk announced the start date to collect signatures on the candidates petitions is
Wednesday, September 21, 2016.
Public Comment
Junad Rizki praised the service that Alderman Revelle has rendered to the residents in
her ward. He then turned his attention to the City Manager and his opinion of his less
than perfect performance.
Alderman Rainey responded to the resident’s public comments and stated “the
time has come when we cannot allow crazy nonsense speak about our water, it
is nuts and I’m not going to sit here and listen, and not one Alderman on this Dias
ought to allow it either. It’s stupid and it’s dangerous”.
Mr. Stoneback, Public Works Agency Director stated Evanston has been in a
law-suite with NICOR & COMED concerning materials that were found in the
water around James Park. These materials have been proven not to be harmful
to the residents, also from the testing of the water it was discovered the
concentrations were below the standard of the compounds that were found.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
(SP1) Update on Water & Sewer Operations and Funding
Staff will provide an update on the status of the water & sewer funds capital
projects, operational plans, water sales to other municipalities and other issues.
For Discussion
The City Manager announced and introduced the Village Managers of Niles and
Morton Grove as discussions have progressed to selling water to those two
villages. After the City Manager explained the reason for tonight’s session, he
also commented on the despairing remarks made by a resident concerning the
status of the water & sewer with false statements.
Mr. Stoneback started by sharing a power-point presentation concerning the
water and he introduced Laura Biggs, Capital Planning Bureau Chief. She
explained the three systems of the water fund, and how each system functions.
Mr. Stoneback returned to discuss the financial goals for both the water 3.5
million in the fund) & sewer funds, and to keep 2.5m (in the sewer fund), but he
would like to reduce the fees to the residents. He stated he will be coming back
later this year to request the purchase of a computerized maintenance
management system.
Aldermen commented on the following concerns:
Water main replacements that are more than 100 years old.
Comparison with other municipalities water rate with Evanston
Does the number include the Chicago’s water rate?
Is a tax paid on the water rate after the homeowner pays their water rate?
What is the life cycle of the water meters?
What is the overall percentage of the water & sewer funds for the citizens?
Call of the Wards:
Ward 4, Alderman Wilson had no report
Ward5, Alderman Holmes had no report
Ward 6, Alderman Tendam had no report
Ward 7, Alderman Revelle having 7th ward meeting Thursday, 2701 Ashland.
Ward 8, Alderman Rainey praised the Mayor for her promoting the water sell to
other communities.
Ward 9, Alderman Miller had no report
Ward 1, Alderman Fiske NU city meeting in Aldermanic Library tomorrow.
Ward 2, Alderman Braithwaite had no report
Ward 3, Alderman Wynne had no report
Alderman Wilson made a motion to convene into Executive Session to discuss
Personnel; it was second by Alderman Holmes. A Voice Vote was taken and the
Regular Meeting of the City Council ended at 8:27 PM.
Submitted by;
Rodney Greene, MMC
City Clerk