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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES-1990-07-09-1990F1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL OF EVq��doll` 00J On- co.. t�ltiti July 9, 1990 Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current members are as follows: Administration Planning & & Public Works Human Services Development Alderman Rainey Alderman Drummer Alderman Korshak Alderman Collens Alderman Feldman Alderman Morton Alderman Wold Alderman Lanyon Alderman Brady Alderman Paden Alderman Washington Alderman Warshaw Alderman Esch Alderman Wollin Alderman Rudy Alderman Juliar Alderman Davis Alderman Nelson The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, July 9, 1990, at 9:10 pm. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A quorum being present. ABSENT: Alderman Morton Alderman Brady Alderman Lanyon Alderman Esch Alderman Feldman Alderman Korshak Alderman Warshaw Alderman Washington Alderman Rudy Alderman Wold Alderman Juliac Alderman Nelson Alderman Paden Alderman Wollia Alderman Drummer Alderman Collens Alderman Davis Alderman Rainey PRESIDING: Mayor Joan W. Barr CITIZEN COMMENT: Walter Oleksy,, 2656 Bryant Avenue, discussed the difficulty he had selling his house because of high property taxes; suggested that people are being forced to move out of Evanston because of the taxes; said he was in favor of the tuition tax as a last resort to force Northwestern University to pay for services rendered to them; reported that he had called several other University communities to ask what payments they got from their Universities; said that some charged excite taxes on non -educational events and that some were considering imposing tuition taxes; suggested that a citizens review committee be appointed to find alternative ways of generating revenue from Northwestern University; suggested that the City Manager contact the International City Manager's Association (ICMA) and the National League of Cities to find out what other communities are doing; said that University of Illinois President Stanley Ikenberry, who opposes the tuition tax, favors having a University contribute to the financial well-being of its host community. Mayor Barr pointed out that Evanston imposes an athletic tax on Northwestern University that generates about $100,000 a year. n 15-0 -2- July 9, 1990 Margot Baas, 2110 Orrington Avenue, discussed perceptions generated by Northwestern University; said the tuition tax was not really the issue, the issue is responding to your host community in material form, fairness and allowing for tax relief; the tuition tax should stimulate Northwestern University to action; suggested that the closed meetings of the Research Park Committee were taxation without representation; urged Evanston to get taxes under control; suggested that City services appear to be minimal; wondered why school taxes are going up when enrollment is declining; said taxes are pricing people out of purchasing homes in Evanston; urged Council to hold the line or to lower taxes. Mel Livatino, 2750 Lincolnwood Drive, said that he had a lot of despair about what this Council does; said that it was a struggle for people living in Evanston to get what they want; said the University is costing us 25% higher taxes; the same students who are decrying a $65 tuition tax said nothing when Northwestern University increased their tuition by $750 last year; Northwestern is one of the ten most richly endowed universities in the nation; said that Cornell, Yale, Stanford, Brown and Harvard and other public institutions pay taxes and make cash payments in lieu of taxes and Northwestern refuses to do so; implored Council to pass the tuition tax; urged Council to become more conscionable about taxes and spending. Neal Fisher, 3221 Hartzell Street, President of Garrett Theological Seminary, spoke against the tuition tax, saying that it taxes learning; said that it was inequitable and unjust to tax students and bad for Evanston's image; said that Garrett students were not affluent and could not afford to pay the tax; suggested that Evanston is selling its soul by attempting to tax learning. KINUTES: Alderman Feldman moved that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 25, 1990, as submitted in writing to the members of the City Council, be approved without reading. Seconded by Alderman Nelson. Motion carried. No nays. COMMUNICATIONS: City Clerk Kirsten F.Davis reported she had received 12 letters concerning the proposed tuition tax. Alderman Nelson referred these communications to the Budget Policy Committee. City Clerk Davis announced she had received a letter regarding the use of animals in research experiments at Northwestern University. Alderman Nelson referred this communication to the Police Services Committee. Mayor Barr announced that there would be a CLOSED SESSION at the end of the meeting to deal with pending litigation, land acquisition and personnel. CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk=) Alderman Nelson moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exception: Docket 161-6B-90: Ordinance 59-0-90. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll Call. Voting aye - Brady, Esch, Korshak, Washington, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon Feldman, Warshaw, Rudy, Juliar, Paden, Drummer, Davis. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (17-0) ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Bills and Payroll Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending July 5, 1990; for the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending July 1, 1990; for City Council payroll for the month of June 1990; and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston bills $2,210,907.50 City of Evanston payroll 1,211,071.58 City Council payroll 5,400.00 *APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) PURCHASES: Approval of the proposal from Regal Business Machines for Typewriter Maintenance at a total annual cost of $7,155. (Non -Bid Item, Requires 2/3 Majority Vote). APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) iJ 1 i -3- July 9, 1990 Ll 1 1 ' Approval of the following: 1) low bid from Tonyan Brothers for sand at the unit prices bid for an estimated annual cost of $15,746.00. 2) low bid from Vulcan Materials for stone at the unit prices bid for an estimated annual cost of $49,940.00 3) low bid from Builder's Ready Mix for concrete at the unit prices bid for an estimated annual cost of $13,625.00. BID SUMMARY: 1)SAND Bidder Tonyan Brothers McHenry, IL Vulcan Materials Countryside, IL 2) STONE Bidder Vulcan Materials Countryside, IL 3) CONCRETE Bidder FA 1 (30 Tons) FA 2 (2,000 Tons) Total Bid $8.20 $7.75 $15,746.00 No Bid 7.80 CA 6 (5,000 Tons) CA 7 (300 Tons) Total Bid $9.40 $9.80 $49,940.00 Price per cubic Yard (250 C.Y.) Total Bid Builder's Ready Mix $54.50 $13,625.00 Evanston, IL APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) ' Approval of the proposal from Aerial Equipment, Inc. for a Brush Chipper at a total cost of $16,000.00 (Non -Bid Item, Requires 2/3 Majority Vote). *APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) ' Approval of the bid from Kerrigan Plumbing to install a Drinking Fountain at Penny Park at a total cost of $6,600.00. 'APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) Docket 169-7A-90: Ordinance 66-0-90 - 1990 Tax Levy Ordinance - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 66-0-90, the 1990 Tax Levy Ordinance, which deals with the property tax portion of the 1990-91 Budget. A table follows which compares proposed 1990 levies, payable in 1991, with 1989 tax levies, payable in 1990: 1989 1990 Percent Fund Levy Levy Increase General $14,779,431 $15,172,727 2.7% Fire Pension 1,116,168 1,223,310 4.9 Police Pension 1,484,962 1,557,725 4.9 SUB -TOTAL $17,430,561 $17,953,762 4.9 Debt Service (1) 4,981,797 5,225,905 4.9 TOTAL $22,412,358 $23,179,667 3.4 (1) The Debt Service Levy is not included in the Ordinance since it is levied automatically by the County by reference to approved Bond Ordinances. 'MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. ' Docket 170-6A-90: Ordinance 67-0-90 - Tax Levy for Special Service District #4 - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 67-0-90, by which the City Council would impose a Tax Levy of $151,505 to be collected within Special Service District #4. Also attached is the Proposed Budget for Special Service District #4 for 1990-91. The Board of Directors of EVMARK, Inc. recommends adoption of the necessary Tax Levy to provide funds in 1990-91 for this Budget. 'MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. -4- July 9, 1990 * Docket 171-7A-90: Ordinance 69-0-90 - Four -Way Stops - Dewey at Brummel and Dobson - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 69-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5, Schedule V, of the Code of the City of Evanston to convert the intersections of Dewey/Brummel and Dewey/Dobson. MARRED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. Docket 162-6B-90: Ordinance 59-0-90 - S.A.# 1392 - Alley Paving- Church/Hartrey - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 59-0-90, by which the City Council would authorize, under Special Assessment #1392, the paving of the alley north of Church Street and east of Hartrey Avenue. A public hearing on this Special Assessment was held on May 29, 1990. The estimated cost of this improvement is $232,623.44 and is all assessed to benefitting property owners. Due to the need for publication of this Ordinance at least ten days prior to adoption, since the amount assessed is over $200,000, adoption cannot occur until the July 23, 1990, meeting of the City Council. This Docket item was held over to satisfy publication requirements. *Docket 162-6B-90: Ordinance 60-0-90 - Poplar Avenue Parking Restrictions - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 60-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-8, Schedule VIII(A), of the Code of the City of Evanston to prohibit parking on both sides of Poplar Avenue between Livingston and Jenks Streets. ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) *Docket 163-6B-90: Ordinance 61-0-90 - Parking Restrictions on Sherman Avenue - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 61-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-9, Schedule IX, to prohibit parking on Sherman Avenue within 75 feet of the Simpson Street and Gaffield Place intersections between 8:00 a.m, and 6:00 p.m. daily. *ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) Docket 164-6B-90: Ordinance 62-0-90 - 2-Way Stop - Thayer/Bennett - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 62-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5, Schedule V(B) to add stop signs on Bennett Avenue at Thayer Street, making this a 2-Way stop. ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) *Docket 165-6B-90: Ordinance 63-0-90 - Expansion of REPD "A" - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 63-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-10, Schedule X, of the Code of the City of Evanston to add certain blocks of Milburn Street, Sherman Avenue, Foster Street, University Place, and Emerson Street to Residential Exemption Parking District "A". Also included in this Ordinance is an amendment to Section 10-11-8, Schedule VIII, by which the City Council would revise the "No Parking Anytime" restrictions in two blocks of Milburn Street. *ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) *Docket 137-6A-90: Sherman Avenue Garage Improvements - Consideration of a recommendation to complete two projects in the Sherman Avenue Parking Garage. These are: (1) replacing one brick wall in each stair tower with glass; and (2) enclosing the first level of the Garage with rolling grilles at the entrances and exits and screening along the alleys. Alderman Rainey announced the Administration & Public Works Committee had voted to remove this item from the Council Agenda. Docket 252-10B-89: Resolution 62-R-89 - Acquisition of 1122 Emerson Street - Consideration of proposed Resolution 62-R-89, by which the City Council would authorize the City Manager to negotiate the purchase of the property at 1122 Emerson Street. At the October 23, 1989 meeting, this docket item was held in committee. At the request of two Aldermen at the November 6, 1989 meeting, this docket item was held over to the next meeting. At the November 20, 1989 meeting, this docket item was tabled. ls3 -S- July 9, 1990 Alderman Rainey announced that the July 23 meeting of the Administration & Public Works Committee would begin at 6:45 P.H. The Committee will be discussing the Capital Improvements Program. She invited all Aldermen to attend the Committee meeting. She also announced that the Committee had set a preliminary Budget Hearing for 8:00 P.H. July 23 to which the public is invited. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Docket 172-7A-90: Families In Transition Program re Ministers' Fellowship of Evanston - Consideration of a request that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Ministers' Fellowship of Evanston with an expenditure of $12,000 in conjunction with the Families In Transition (F.I.T.) Program. *APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) Docket 117-SA-90: Ordinance 112-0-89 - Art in the Construction of Public Buildings - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 112-0-89, by which the City Council would authorize the allocation of certain funds for art in the construction of public buildings and proposed guidelines for administering the Public Art Program. This docket item was held in committee. Docket 53-3A-90: Ordinance 18-0-90 - Amending Noises Prohibited - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 18-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 9-5-23(C) of the Code of the City of Evanston to extend the hours of construction and repairing of buildings from the existing permitted hours of 7:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays to include Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This docket item was held in committee. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: Docket 173-7A-90: Submission of Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan - Consideration of the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan for the City of Evanston to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0) OTHER COMMITTEES: Docket 167-6B-90: Ordinance 65-0-90 - Tuition Tax - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 65-0-90, introduced on June 25, 1990, by which the City Council would authorize a .5% tax on tuition paid to any college or university for courses offered at locations within Evanston. Tabled. . Alderman Collens moved to table this Docket item until September 10. Seconded by Alderman Rudy. Alderman Rainey raised a point of order whether the motion to table was open to debate. The Mayor ruled that it was. Alderman Rainey asked why the motion to hold was for September 10 and not Augusut 27 as originally agreed upon. Alderman Collens explained that an Alderman would not be able to be present that day and the issue was significant enough to have a full Council present. Alderman Korshak said that during the past week everyone had been told that the Ordinance would be discussed on August 27. He said that the ,Alderman who will be absent on the 27 is known to be opposed to the Ordinance, so the presence or absence of someone whose position is well known long in advance is not germaine, since the only votes that need to be worried about are those which are potentially in support of the Ordinance. It is better to deal with it on August 27 and lay it to rest. Mayor Barr said that it was her recollection that the Council had decided that the issue was important enough to try to make sure that the whole City Council was present. Alderman Feldman said that this is a significant issue and every effort should be made to make sure all of the Aldermen are here regardless of their position on the issue. However, he said that he hoped to avoid such a tight commitment that the absence of one member becomes the reason for an automatic holdover. He said that he felt the Council should stick to the September 10 date. /5Y Ir:l July 9, 1990 Alderman Korshak said that an Alderman may have something come up unexpectedly that makes it impossible for him or her to attend that evening. If the Council insists that the discussion be held when all Aldermen are present, it's not possible to predict when such a vote may take place. Therefore unless there is a substantial absence expected on the 27th of August, the Council should hold it on that date. Alderman Juliar said that if the.Council follows Alderman Korshak's reasoning, and the Council had originally scheduled the vote for this evening, the Council should hold it at the next meeting. Roll Call. Voting aye - Brady, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon, Warshaw, Rudy, Juliar, Drummer, Davis. Voting nay - Esch, Korshak, Washington, Feldman, Paden. Motion carried. (12-5) CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Joel M. Asprooth congratulated the Evanston Fourth of July Association for a very successful series of events on July 4 of last week. He also expressed his gratitude to all City employees who gave up their holiday to participate in the planning and implementation of the parade, fireworks and various recreation programs. In particular, he thanked the department heads and various personnel in the Departments of Recreation, Building Operations, Fire, Police, Parks and Traffic Engineering for a job well done. Mayor Barr joined the City Manager in congratulating the Committee for another wonderful Fourth of July. She said that it was the City at its best (even if it was the City at its hottest). She said that everyone who participated or took part in the day had a wonderful time. She thanked volunteers and staff for making the day possible. Mayor Barr asked for confirmation of Joan Ritter, 420 South Blvd., for reappointment to the Housing Commission, term to expire July 1, 1993. Alderman Juliar moved Council approval of this reappointment. Seconded by Alderman Warshaw. Motion carried. No nays. Mayor Barr asked for confirmation of Ann Kepler, 649 Hinman Ave., for reappointment to the Library Board, term to expire July 7, 1993. Alderman Rainey moved Council approval of this reappointment. Seconded by Alderman Warshaw. Motion carried. No nays. Mayor Barr introduced the names of Hayward Blake, 1440 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Norton O'Meara, 231 Dempster Street and Jack Weiss, 409 Custer Avenue, #3C for reappointment to the Sign Appeals Board. Alderman Paden congratulated all of those who made the Fourth of July celebration possible. She invited everyone to her Fourth Annual Picnic on July 28 from 2:00 P.M. "until the food gives out" in Mason Park. She said that there will be lots of food, live music and about 75 prizes. She said that she expected about a thousand people to attend. Alderman Paden announced that today was her birthday. (Mayor Barr wished her a happy birthday). She also offered belated birthday greetings to City Manager Asprooth and Alderman Rainey who had June birthdays. She wished happy birthday to Alderman Warshaw whose birthday is tomorrow, to Alderman Washington whose birthday is next week and to her husband whose birthday is also next week. Alderman Korshak expressed his gratitude to Northwestern University for all the long distance calls he had been receiving and the marked acceleration of mail that he had been receiving from total strangers. He observed that the University was putting on a "full court press" regarding the tuition tax. He noted that he had been receiving copies of letters addressed to the Mayor and they even included her apartment number on them. He said it was a great tribute to the magnificent organizational ability that Northwestern University has in pursuit of something that is in its interest. 1 1 -7- July 9, 1990 Alderman Washington thanked Zeltee Edwards for picking up yard waste on July 3 that had been missed the week before. She also thanked Sue Bolotin, Secretary to the Director of Public Works, for her assistance that day because the 5th Ward had not had yard waste or garbage pickup. She said that garbage pickup did not take place until 5:24 P.M. that day. She also said that she didn't remember getting any information on the change in garbage pickup. Alderman Washington said that she. enjoyed the activities on the Fourth of July and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Anderson for allowing her to ride in their car in the parade. Alderman Wold announced that the Flood & Pollution Control Committee would meet on Wednesday, July 18. She said that a packet of information detailing the long-range sewer plan would be delivered to members of the Committee. Alderman Wold thanked the City staff for the work they.had done during the Fourth of July. She reported that she had overheard someone saying, as they left the fireworks, "this is one of the reasons I live in Evanston." Alderman Collens announced that the special meeting of the Budget Policy Committee scheduled for July lb had been cancelled and that the Budget Policy Committee will be meeting at their regularly scheduled time on July 18. She invited all Aldermen to attend the meeting which will be devoted to budget process and projections. Alderman Collens announced that tomorrow evening at 7:30 P.M. in Room 2404, Civic Center, there would be a neighborhood meeting to discuss the North Shore Medical Center. Plans for the building have been approved by the Building & Zoning Department. This will be in a report to the Community by the developer. Alderman Feldman thanked the City Council, City staff and members of the public who sent sympathy cards or messages of condolence to him after the death of his brother. Mayor Barr asked for a motion to go into CLOSED SESSION. Alderman Feldman asked for special consideration to allow people who remained on the Citizen Comment list to speak before the Council recessed into CLOSED SESSION. Alderman Rainey announced that there would be a special meeting to deal with the James Park Garden plots and that it will be well publicized. CITIZEN COMMENT Continued: Irene Gregory, 510 Sheridan Road, said she appreciated the consideration given to the speakers by the City Council; said she had been a gardener in James Park for sixteen years and was very interested in ecology; questioned the plan to move 50 gardeners onto the soccer field in James Park to make way for the yard waste recycling area; said that years had gone into making the gardens very productive and said that a root could not find its way into the soil of the soccer field; asked the City Council to reconsider moving the gardens. William Stein, 530 Hinman Avenue, said there was a bueaucratic arrogance about moving the gardens; questioned how committed the Council was to providing 50 new gardens; questioned whether they can provide the new gardens or whether they will cave in to the soccer people; urged Council to honor their promise; said don't be anti -nature or anti -environment. Alderman Feldman moved to go into CLOSED SESSION. Seconded by Alderman Nelson. Roll call. Voting aye - Brady, Esch, Korshak, Washington, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman, Warshaw, Rudy, Julian, Paden, Drummer, Davis. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (17-0) The Council so recessed at 10:01 P.M. and adjourned from CLOSED SESSION at 10:23 P.M. KIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK m 1 1