HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.25.2014 Actions
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H. MORTON CIVIC CENTER
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Saturday, October 25, 2014
9:00 a.m.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
(I) City Council Roll Call – Begin with Alderman Burrus
(II) Public Hearing: FY2015 Proposed Budget for the City of Evanston
Public hearing convened at 9:15 am
One resident spoke against tax and fee increases.
One resident spoke against water rate increases.
Public hearing adjourned at 9:22 am.
(III) Public Hearing: Truth in Taxation Hearing for the 2014 Property Tax Levy for the
City of Evanston
Public hearing convened at 9:22 am.
Two residents spoke in support of the library board’s request for an increase in
the library tax levy.
One resident requested additional oversight and transparency over the budget.
One resident spoke against the proposed library tax increase.
One resident asked a series of questions about taxes and the proposed
budget, including:
1. What was meant by language in the budget claiming that there was no
net increase in property taxes
2. What figures staff used to develop the budget for services previously
provided by the township
3. Whether Sheridan Road would be included in the streets budget,
4. How and why money would be moved from the general fund to the debt
City Council Agenda October 25, 2014 Page 2 of 4
10/24/2013 6:42 PM
service fund.
5. How many full and part time employees are included in the position
counts listed in the budget
The public hearing adjourned at 9:45 pm.
(IV) Mayor Public Announcements
Mayor Tisdahl expressed condolences to City Clerk Rodney Greene and his family
on the recent passing of Mr. Greene’s father.
(V) City Manager Public Announcements
Today over 250 volunteers are participating in the Evanston Day of Caring with the
United Way. This weekend is also the Halloween and Harvest festival downtown
on Sherman Avenue as part of the Fountain Square visioning process.
(VI) Communications: City Clerk
(VII) Public Comment
Members of the public are welcome to speak at City Council meetings. As part of the Council
agenda, a period for public comments shall be offered at the commencement of each regular
Council meeting. Those wishing to speak should sign their name and the agenda item or non-
agenda topic to be addressed on a designated participation sheet. If there are five or fewer
speakers, fifteen minutes shall be provided for Public Comment. If there are more than five
speakers, a period of forty-five minutes shall be provided for all comment, and no individual shall
speak longer than three minutes. The Mayor will allocate time among the speakers to ensure that
Public Comment does not exceed forty-five minutes. The business of the City Council shall
commence forty-five minutes after the beginning of Public Comment. Aldermen do not respond
during Public Comment. Public Comment is intended to foster dialogue in a respectful and civil
manner. Public comments are requested to be made with these guidelines in mind.
One resident spoke about water bill increases and capital projects included in the
proposed budget.
One resident complained about the relocation of the Church/Dodge bus stop for
the southbound 93 bus and asked whether the City or the CTA was responsible for
the move. The stop should be returned to the corner of Church and Dodge
because of the lack of lighting at its new location. The new location also makes it
more difficult to transfer from the 93 bus to the 208.
One resident requested that the mayor and council investigate making the library
board into an independently elected board.
(VIII) Special Orders of Business: Introduction of 2014 Tax Levies and Budget
Workshop
(IX) Call of the Wards
(Aldermen shall be called upon by the Mayor to announce or provide information
about any Ward or City matter which an Alderman desires to bring before the
Council.) {Council Rule 2.1(10)}
City Council Agenda October 25, 2014 Page 3 of 4
10/24/2013 6:42 PM
The 7th ward alderman announced the passing of retired Northwestern University
professor and 7th Ward resident Wilfred Seidel, who passed away over the
summer at age 104.
The 8th ward alderman agreed that the council should move forward with a
referendum or other required procedure for creating a separately-elected library
board.
(X) Executive Session
(XI) Adjournment
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
(SP1) Ordinance 133-O-14: City of Evanston 2014 Tax Levy
Staff requests introduction of Tax Levy Ordinance 133-O-14, which levies the
annual property tax for General Fund Operations, Illinois Municipal Retirement
Fund, Police and Fire Pension Funds, and General Assistance Fund.
For Introduction
Approved 7-0
(SP2) Ordinance 134-O-14: 2014 Special Service Area #4 Tax Levy
Staff requests introduction of Tax Levy Ordinance 134-O-14, which levies the
annual property tax for Special Service Area #4.
For Introduction
Approved 7-0
(SP3) Ordinance 135-O-14: Evanston Public Library 2014 Tax Levy
Staff requests introduction of Tax Levy Ordinance 135-O-14 which levies the
annual property tax for the Evanston Public Library.
For Introduction
Approved 6-1
(SP4) FY2015 Budget Workshop
No formal action will be taken regarding the FY2015 Budget. Budget documents
are available here: http://www.cityofevanston.org/city-budget/
For Discussion
MEETINGS SCHEDULED THROUGH NOVEMBER 2014
Mon, Oct 27 6 pm A&PW, P&D, City Council meetings
Mon, Nov 3 6 pm Human Services Funding Summit
Mon, Nov 10 6 pm A&PW, P&D, City Council meetings
Mon, Nov 17 7 pm City Council meeting
Tues, Nov 18 7:30 pm Housing & Community Dev Act Ctte
Wed, Nov 19 6 pm Transportation/Parking Committee
City Council Agenda October 25, 2014 Page 4 of 4
10/24/2013 6:42 PM
Wed, Nov 19 6:30 pm M/W/EBE Advisory Committee
Wed, Nov 19 7:30 pm Economic Development Committee
Fri, Nov 21 7 am Housing & Homelessness Commission
Mon, Nov 24 6 pm A&PW, P&D, City Council meetings
Order and agenda items are subject to change.
Information is available about Evanston City Council meetings at: www.cityofevanston.org/citycouncil.
Questions can be directed to the City Manager’s Office at 847-866-2936. The City is committed to
ensuring accessibility for all citizens. If an accommodation is needed to participate in this meeting, please
contact the City Manager’s Office 48 hours in advance so that arrangements can be made for the
accommodation if possible.