HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 30, 2023Page 1 MINUTES October 30,2023
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF EVANSTON,ILLINOIS
LORRAINE H.MORTON CIVIC CENTER
JAMES C.LYTLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday,October 30,2023
Present:Councilmember Kelly Councilmember Burns (Virtual)
Councilmember Harris Councilmember Suffredin
Councilmember Wynne Councilmember Revelle
Councilmember Nieuwsma Councilmember Reid
(8)
Absent:Councilmember Geracaris
Presiding:Mayor Daniel Biss
Staff Present:
Luke Stowe,City Manager Hitesh Desai,Chief Financial Officer
Alexandra Ruggie,Interim Corporation Counsel Clayton Black,Budget Manager
Meagan Jones,Neighborhood and Land Use Planner
Elizabeth Williams,Planning Manager
Stephanie Mendoza
City Clerk
Page 2 MINUTES October 30,2023
(II)MAYOR PUBLIC COMMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Daniel Biss
Councilmember Nieuwsma moved to suspend the City Council Rules to allow 90 seconds for
each speaker during Public Comment
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Revelle
Motion Passed 6 -1
Ayes:Kelly,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle
Nayes:Reid
Absent:Harris,Geracaris
(III)CITY MANAGER PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Luke Stowe
(IV)COMMUNICATIONS:CITY CLERK
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza
(V)PUBLIC COMMENT
Name Name Name Name
Senta Plunkett Sally Mabadi (P1)Christine Froula Chuck Wasserburg
Ken Proskie Sally Mabadi (P2)Mike Hanigan Adam Goldsmith
Blair Miller Peter Kelly Paula Weinbaum Trisha Connolly
Dana Hoffman Steve Davies Lara Hamann Brian Regan
Jeff Dalebroux Len Lamkin Yvi Russell Laura Deremo
Bob Sokol Tim Guimond Andrea Smeeton Jeff Smith
Bob Thiersch Steve Morton Deborah Morrin Caroline Winkler
Debbie Thiersch Joe Hill Amanda Bratten Elisa Spain
Molly Shiple Mary Rosinski Sonia Cohen Robert Orenstein
Mark Rosati Dan Allen Aaron Cohen David Cook
Michael Vasilko Marc Abramson Susan Kelly Peggy Baxter
Kelly Marcelle John Austin Raju Ghate David Keown
Page 3 MINUTES October 30,2023
(V)PUBLIC COMMENT
Name Name Name Name
Andy Berman Mike Hauser James Hebson Lesley Williams
Patrick Bowe Gracey Ninmer Neil Gambow Colby Davis
Leticia Bange Anusha Kumar Katie Trippi Stefano Mereu
Ray Friedman Simon Carr Jackson Paller Marie Schirmang
Ann Trompeter Eric Herman Bruce Enenbach Jeff Boarini
Dave Riggle Meridith DeCarlo Angela Valavanis Meg Welch
Jim Froberg Scott Gingold Jeffrey Baer Haley McAllister
Joe Flanagan Ben Kadish Linda Damashek James Adam Roth
Jane Grover Earl Weingarden Sheila Sullivan Maia Robinson
Mary Young Allyson Renee Fiona McCarthy David Raffensperger
Gary Cole Jennifer Engel Max Overholt Isaac Slevin
Charles Needham Karla Thomas Brian Benson Noreen Edwards
Carl Hotman Darlene Cannon Aina Gutierrez
Written Received Public Comment
City Council took a five-minute recess at 8:50 p.m.
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP1.Ordinance 109-O-23,Amending City Code Section 3-2-14-3 Increasing the Liquor
Tax for Certain Amusement Events in the City was approved for introduction as
amended
Mayor Biss recommended the introduction of Ordinance 109-O-23,Amending City Code
Section 3-2-14-3 to Increase the Liquor Tax Rate for Certain Amusement Events in the
City
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Councilmember Reid moved that the liquor tax increase described in the ordinance
apply to both athletic and amusement events
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Page 4 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP1.
(cont.)
Ordinance 109-O-23,Amending City Code Section 3-2-14-3 Increasing the Liquor
Tax for Certain Amusement Events in the City was approved for introduction as
amended
Motion Passed 8 -0
Ayes:Kelly,Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:None
Absent:Geracaris
For Introduction
Approved for Introduction as Amended 7 -1
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:Kelly
Absent:Geracaris
SP2.Ordinance 110-O-23,Amending City Code Section 3-2-17-1 Increasing the Tax Rate
for Certain Amusement Events in the City was approved for introduction
Mayor Biss recommended the introduction of Ordinance 110-O-23,Amending City Code
Section 3-2-17-1,and Increasing the Tax Rate for Certain Amusement Events in the City
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Harris
For Introduction
Approved for Introduction 6 -2
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:Kelly,Suffredin
Absent:Geracaris
PRESENTATIONS
Presentations from Applicant and Opponents
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Harris
Northwestern University
Dave Davis Senior Executive Director,Neighborhood and Community Relations
Derrick Gragg,Athletic Director
Luke Figora,Vice President &Chief Operating Officer
Dave Davis Senior Executive Director,Neighborhood and Community Relations
Page 5 MINUTES October 30,2023
PRESENTATIONS
Presentations from Applicant and Opponents
Most Livable City Association
David DeCarlo
Laurie McFarlane
Parielle Davis
David DeCarlo
Councilmember Reid moved to create a special order of business on the
November 13,2023 regular City Council meeting agenda for an event parking surcharge
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:None
Motion failed for a lack of a second
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP3.Ordinance 108-O-23,Granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a
Stadium on Property Located at 1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic
Facilities District was approved for introduction as amended
Land Use Commission recommended approval with conditions of ordinance 108-O-23
granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a Stadium on Property Located at
1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District.
Ordinance 108-O-23,Granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a
Stadium on Property Located at 1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic
Facilities District
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Revelle
Councilmember Reid withdrew his motion to move this ordinance
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Wynne
Councilmember Revelle moved to amend this ordinance by adding a section to the
Operations section,Transportation Management Plan
Motion:Councilmember Revelle
Second:Councilmember Wynne
Councilmember Revelle withdrew the motion to amend this ordinance
Page 6 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP3.
(cont.)
Ordinance 108-O-23,Granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a
Stadium on Property Located at 1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic
Facilities District was approved for introduction as amended
Councilmember Nieuwsma moved to amend this ordinance with the following:
1.A Traffic Management Plan for all events with expected capacity of more than
5,000 attendees shall be finalized prior to the completion of demolition construction
and shall be reviewed administratively on an annual basis and when changes to
events are proposed.
●Maintain use of best practice design elements proposed for the stadium including,
utilization of a distributed house sound system within the seating bowl that limits
noise levels to an average of 70 DBH DBA at the property line,providing additional
canopy or roof/dome above the seating areas that incorporates adequate sound
reduction characteristics,and for all athletic events,provide the use of temporary
enclosures and walls that help reduce sound emissions to the surrounding
community.Noise levels associated with all non-athletic activities will be addressed
within Ordinance 107-O-23 and the Memorandum of Understanding between the
City and Northwestern.
4.The applicant shall propose additional traffic and pedestrian mitigation measures
that increase pre and post event LOS prior to City Council consideration.
4.Implementation of mitigation measures at the Applicant’s cost suggested within the
Traffic Impact Study and subsequent Peer Review,including but not limited to:
11.That the Applicant sign signs and agrees to a Construction Management Plan
(CMP)with the City of Evanston prior to the issuance of any building or demolition
permits.The CMP must include but is not limited to the following:water and sewer
utility connections,construction staging plan,off-site and on-site construction
parking restrictions,construction truck routes,hours of operation,a plan including
cross-sections showing pedestrian access around the site with the use of curb
ramps,signage and/or striping,if necessary,foundation survey of surrounding
structures including weekly reporting of seismographs for the duration of demolition
and construction,submittal of environmental testing report prior to construction,
visibility diagram for all construction site access points,a proposed schedule for
street opening for utility connections with cross-section details,traffic management
plan that addresses events being held in the U2 District during construction,and a
communications plan including but not limited to project updates via monthly
newsletter and project website.
Page 7 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP3.
(cont.)
Ordinance 108-O-23,Granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a
Stadium on Property Located at 1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic
Facilities District was approved for introduction as amended
15.The Applicant meets with residents to discuss the option of constructing an
above-grade or below-grade garage on the east or west parking lot if desired in lieu
of parking in the neighborhood.
continues to engage with and address concerns from the community with respect
to the adequacy of on-site and off-site parking,pursuant to the Memorandum of
Understanding.
Motion:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Second:Councilmember Revelle
Motion Passed 7 -1
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:Kelly
Absent:Geracaris
Councilmember Revelle moved to amend this ordinance to include direction of the
transportation management plan addressed the use of shuttle buses and how the
use of budget buses relates to CARP goals including carbon neutrality
Motion:Councilmember Revelle
Second:Councilmember Wynne
Motion Passed 8 -0
Ayes:Kelly,Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:None
Absent:Geracaris
Councilmember Nieuwsma moved to add as an additional condition a requirement
that Northwestern University develop and adhere to a Community Benefits
Agreement
Motion:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Second:Councilmember Reid
Page 8 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP3.
(cont.)
Ordinance 108-O-23,Granting a Special Use for a Planned Development for a
Stadium on Property Located at 1501 Central Street in the U2 University Athletic
Facilities District was approved for introduction as amended
Motion Passed 5 -3
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Reid
Nayes:Kelly,Suffredin,Revelle
Absent:Geracaris
For Introduction
Approved for Introduction as Amended 5 -3
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Reid
Nayes:Kelly,Suffredin,Revelle
Absent:Geracaris
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP4.Ordinance 107-O-23,Amending Section 6-15-7-2 of the City Code “Permitted Uses”
in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District was approved for introduction as
amended
Land Use Commission recommended denial of ordinance 107-O-23 Amending Section
6-15-7-2 of the City Code “Permitted Uses”in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District.
Motion:Councilmember Reid
Second:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Councilmember Nieuwsma moved to amend this ordinance with the following:
1.Add an administrative process to the U2 District that includes mandatory logistics
meetings between the City of Evanston and Northwestern before each concert
event shall be required.This meeting should also include relevant agencies &
concert staff that will support the implementation of the transportation management
and concert operations plans.
2.Add additional standards,enforcement,and penalty provisions to the U2 District to
mitigate potential land use impacts as outlined below.
3.Add a provision to the U2 District that clarifies if a concert is delayed or canceled
due to weather or force majeure (including illness or pandemic),the concert may
be rescheduled in the same calendar year without counting as an additional
concert towards the 6 concert maximum.
4.Add a provision to the U2 District that establishes the authority for the Mayor to
grant a waiver in the case of a delay due to weather or force majeure (including
illness or pandemic)to the additional standards,enforcement,and penalty
provisions below.
Page 9 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP4.
(cont.)
Ordinance 107-O-23,Amending Section 6-15-7-2 of the City Code “Permitted Uses”
in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District was approved for introduction as
amended
Sound Standard
1.Sound Limitation:Sound levels during concert events shall not exceed an average
of 80 dba at specified locations.
2.Curfew:All sound systems shall be off by 10:00 p.m.Sunday through Thursdays &
10:15 p.m.Fridays,Saturdays,and days preceding national holidays and legal
school holidays enumerated in 105 ILCS 5/24-2.No evening concerts shall be
permitted Sunday through Thursday from Labor Day to Memorial Day without
specific approval from the City as specified within the Memorandum of
Understanding.
Enforcement:A noise monitoring system shall be installed by Northwestern at the
property line surrounding the stadium and within 1,000 feet throughout the adjacent
residential neighborhoods.The Evanston Police Department shall receive the output and
monitor for compliance.The location of the noise monitoring system and ongoing
maintenance and calibration shall be determined within the Memorandum of
Understanding negotiated between the City of Evanston and Northwestern.
Penalty:Violation of the sound limitation and curfew standards shall result in the penalties
outlined below.
Standard Penalty
Sound Level $50,000 per event
Curfew $0 (0-15 minutes over)
$30,000 (15:01-16:00 minutes over)
$30,000 +$2,000/minute or fractional minute beyond 16 minutes
*For example,an event ending at 10:32:13 on a Friday would
receive a $34,000 penalty ($30,000 +(2 x $2,000)=$34,000)
Parking Standard
1.Northwestern shall provide two parking officials to monitor parking before,during,
and after events
Enforcement:Two parking enforcement staff shall be provided by the City for events at
Northwestern's expense.The City of Evanston shall document the number of parking
tickets within 1,000 feet of the U2 zone before,during,and after each event and provide a
report to Northwestern.If parking tickets associated with concerts exceed the baseline
average by more than 50%additional parking officials may be required as part of the
concert operations plan at Northwestern’s expense.The baseline parking tickets shall be
determined within the Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between the City of
Evanston and Northwestern.
Page 10 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP4.
(cont.)
Ordinance 107-O-23,Amending Section 6-15-7-2 of the City Code “Permitted Uses”
in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District was approved for introduction as
amended
Penalty:Violation of the parking standard for not providing minimum staffing as detailed
above,shall result in a $25,000 penalty per event.
Traffic Standard
1.Intersections within 1,000 feet shall return to baseline traffic counts within 1 hour of
the end of a concert event.
Enforcement:Traffic counters &police personnel shall be supplied at Northwestern’s
expense and deployed by the City of Evanston before,during and after events to evaluate
traffic counts.The location of traffic counters,timing of deployment,and baseline traffic
counts shall be determined within the Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between
the City of Evanston and Northwestern.
Penalty:Violation of the traffic standard shall result in a $25,000 penalty per event.Public
Safety &Nuisance Standard
1.Northwestern shall provide three police officers or private security personnel,
approved by the City,to address potential public safety impacts before,during,and
after concert events.
Enforcement:Three police officers or private security personnel approved by the City shall
be provided at Northwestern's expense.The City of Evanston shall document the number
of substantiated 911 calls within 1,000 feet of the U2 zone before,during,and after each
event and provide a report to Northwestern.If substantiated 911 calls associated with
concerts exceed the baseline average by more than 50%additional police officers or
private security personnel,approved by the City,may be required as part of the concert
operations plan at Northwestern’s expense.The baseline calls for service shall be
determined within the Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between the City of
Evanston and Northwestern.
Penalty:Violation of the public safety &nuisance standard for not providing minimum
staffing as detailed above,shall result in a $25,000 penalty per event.
Motion:Councilmember Nieuwsma
Second:Councilmember Revelle
Motion Passed 7 -1
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Nayes:Kelly
Absent:Geracaris
Page 11 MINUTES October 30,2023
(VI)SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
SP4.
(cont.)
Ordinance 107-O-23,Amending Section 6-15-7-2 of the City Code “Permitted Uses”
in the U2 University Athletic Facilities District was approved for introduction as
amended
Councilmember Kelly moved to table this ordinance to the first City Council
meeting in January 2027
Motion:Councilmember Kelly
Second:Councilmember Suffreidin
Motion Failed 1 -7
Ayes:Kelly
Nayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Burns,Suffredin,Revelle,Reid
Absent:Geracaris
For Introduction
Approved for Introduction as Amended 5 -4
Ayes:Harris,Wynne,Nieuwsma,Reid
Nayes:Kelly,Revelle,Burns,Suffredin
Tie Breaker:Biss
Absent:Geracaris
(V)CALL OF THE WARDS
Ward 1:No Report
Ward 2:Wished cousin Happy Birthday;thanked resident for being at the meeting
Ward 3:Joint Budget meeting with Wards 3,4,and 9th November 7 7:00 PM Robert Crown
Ward 4:No Report
Ward 5:No Report
Ward 6:No Report
Ward 7:Joint Budget meeting with Ward 7 November 1 6:00 PM Chandler-Newberger
Ward 8:Council process changes -dialog
8th Ward meeting November 30 6:00 PM virtual
Virtual Open Office
Ward 9:Absent
(VII)ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Biss called a voice vote to adjourn the City Council meeting,and by unanimous vote,the
meeting was adjourned at 1:37 a.m.October 31,2023.