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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1990-03-12-19901 1 CITY COUNCIL March 12, 1990 Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current members are as follows: Administration Planning & & Public Works Human Services Development Alderman Esch Alderman Juliar Alderman Rainey Alderman Collens Alderman Wold Alderman Paden Alderman Wollin Alderman Davis Alderman Drummer Alderman Feldman Alderman Lanyon Alderman Washington Alderman Rudy Alderman Nelson Alderman Korshak Alderman Morton Alderman Brady Alderman Warshaw OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, March 12, 1990, at 9:15 pm. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A quorum being present. ABSENT: Alderman Juliar Alderman Korshak Alderman Feldman Alderman Morton Alderman Warshaw Alderman Washington Alderman Rudy Alderman Wold Alderman Paden Alderman Nelson Alderman Drummer Alderman Wollin Alderman Davis Alderman Collens Alderman Brady Alderman Rainey Alderman Esch Alderman Lanyon PRESIDING: Mayor Joan W. Barr CITIZEN COMMENT: None MINUTES: Alderman Feldman moved that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 26, 1990, as submitted in writing to the members of the City Council, be approved without reading. Seconded by Alderman Collens. Motion carried. No nays. I;1 a. . City Clerk Kirsten F. Davis announced that she had received a letter concerning animal research at Northwestern University. Mayor Barr referred the letter to the Police Services Committee. City Clerk Davis announced that in -person absentee voting was taking place in her office during regular office hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and that the City Clerk's office would be open on Saturday, March 17 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon for in -person absentee voting. CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk=) Alderman Nelson moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exceptions: removing Docket 52-3A-90: Ordinance 17-0-90; and under Purchases: Mini -Vans and Garden Park Redevelopment. Seconded by Alderman Rudy. Roll call. Voting aye - Korshak, Morton, Washington, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman, Warshaw, Rudy, Paden, Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (17-0) 0 -2- March 12, 1990 Docket 31-2A-90: Resolution 13-R-90 - Butler Building Artifacts - Consideration of proposed Resolution 13-R-90, by which the City Council would accept the recommendation of the NAACP, RPI and the Charles H. Shaw Company regarding the disposition of artifacts and cornerstone of the Butler Building. This docket item was held over at the February 12L 1990 meeting,. Docket 52-3A-90: Evanston Hospital Letter of Agreement - Consideration of the proposed Letter of Agreement between the City of Evanston and Evanston Hospital Corporation concerning the private practice of medicine in Hospital facilities. Alderman Collens moved Council approval of the Letter of Agreement. Seconded by Alderman•Wold. Alderman Collens said that this Letter of Agreement accomplishes the goals that the City Council and Zoning Amendment Committee have identified for the fair and speedy enforcement of the zoning ordinance and affords the opportunity to the City Council, the Zoning Amendment Committee and the hospital to further pursue those issues that need to be further pursued. Motion carried. No nays. Docket 52-3A-90: Ordinance 17-0-90 - ZBA 89-47-SU(R) - Special Use for 1834 Chicago Avenue - Consideration of the Zoning Board of Appeals' recommendation that the City Council grant the application of The Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, Inc., (owner) and the University Christian Ministry for a special use to permit conversion of a single-family dwelling into an institutional headquarters for a religious, not -for -profit organization on the property at 1834 Chicago Avenue. The property is zoned U2 University District. 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 4:00 pm. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA Alderman Rudy reported that the Committee had amended the ordinance to extend the hours to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. * Docket 54-3A-90: Ordinance 22-0-90 - ZBA 89-42-V(R) - Variation for 2702 Prairie Avenue - Consideration of the Zoning Board of Appeals' recommendation that the City Council grant the application of Steven W. Wilcox for variations from the elimination and conversion regulations of the Zoning Ordinance to permit retention of the rear building and conversion from a woodworking shop into a single-family dwelling, and conversion of the front building from a single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling on the property at 2702 Prairie Avenue. The property is zoned R5 General Residence District. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 48-2B-90: Ordinance 99-0-89 - Regulating Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 99-0-89, introduced February 26, 1990 by which the City Council would delete existing Title 4, Chapter 16, of the Code of the City of Evanston, entitled "Development in Flood Hazard Areas," and enact a new Title 4, Chapter 16, which incorporates recent changes in the Federal and State Laws as applied to local government in regulating Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA_ MOTION AND ROLL CALL Docket 21-lB-90: Ordinance 8-0-90 - ZBA 89-11-SU(R) - Special Use for 640 Pitner Avenue - Consideration of the Zoning Board of Appeals' recommendation that the City Council grant the application of William Gurtz for a special use to permit retention of a building addition on premises classified as a junk yard on the property at 640 Pitner Avenue. The property is zoned M4 Manufacturing District. This docket item was tabled in Committee until March 26. -3- March 12, 1990 1 I ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS CO"ITTEE: Bills and Payroll * Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending March 7, 1990; for the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending February 25, 1990; for City Council payroll for the month of February 1990; and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston bills $ 980,169.16 City of Evanston payroll 1,145,368.09 City Council payroll 5,400.00 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. MOTION CARRIED. (17-0) PURCHASES: * Approval of the bid from Sears Roebuck & Co. for Chairs for the Fire Department for a total cost of $4,186. = APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. * Approval of the following low bids for typesetting and printing of Arts and Recreation magazine: (1) from General Printing Company for typesetting services at a total estimated annual cost of $ . (2) from International Lithographers for printing at a total estimated annual cost of $75,550. The total for the two recommended purchases is $ 6�'7a0 72,z70 BID SUMMARY: jypesetting, Bidder - The General Printing Company Evanston, IL W.R. Typesetting Skokie, IL Karr Creative SErvices Evanston,.IL John Gwinn Evanston, IL lake County Press Waukegan, IL Consolidated Press, Inc. Elk Grove Village, IL Printing Bidder International Lithographers Chicago, IL Glenbard Graphics Carol Stream, IL Consolidated Press, Inc. Elk Grove Village, IL Total Estimated Annual Cost $&rI26� G, 7a o 7,560 9,000 11,700 19,725 19,846 Total Estimated Annual Cost $ 75,550 76,485 82,725 The General Printing Company 83,868 Evanston, IL Chicago Press Corp. Chcicago, IL Sorg Printing of Illinois Chicago, IL Lake County Press Waukegan, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL 84,195 85,425 104,985 -4- March 12, 1990 * Approval of the low bid from Turf Care Landscaping for rebuilding Lovelace Park Soccer Field at a total cost of $43,000. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Turf Care $ 43,000 Evanston, IL Natural Athletic Turf, Inc. 51,300 Mequon, WI * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * Approval of the low bid from Halloran & Yauch for the Lovelace Park Soccer Field Irrigation System at a total cost of $9,880. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Halloran & Yauch $ 9,880 Glenview, IL Aquamist Lawn Sprinkling, Inc. 10,700 Dolton, IL Ted's Lawn and Garden 11,988 Antioch, IL Central Lawn sprinklers 13,300 Elmwood Park, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * Approval of the low bid from J. A. Johnson Paving at the Unit prices bid for Special Assessment #1379, Poplar Avenue Improvements at a total estimated cost of $210,341.35. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost J. A. Johnson Paving $210.341.35 Arlington Heights, IL Artley Paving 214,672.66 Wheeling, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * Approval for utilization of the State Contract for purchase of One Crew Cab Pick-up Truck from Friendly Chevrolet, Inc. at a total cost of $14,347. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * Approval for a one -month rental of an excavator and one wheel loader for Church Street Boat Ramp Dredging from Case Equipment Company at a total cost of $10,470. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Case Equipment $ 10,470 Bolingbrook, IL Patten Tractor 10,956 Elmhurst, IL Howell Tractor Niles, IL 11,000 Casey Equipment 11,672 Des Plaines, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL 11 -5- March 12, 1990 * Approval of purchase of one Heavy Duty Truck Equipment Company at a total cost of $63,925. Vote). * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND Lift from Illinois Truck and (Non -Bid Item, Requires 2/3 Majority ROLL CALL Alderman Esch moved Council approval of utilization of the State Contract for purchase of three mini -vans from Jack Stoldt, Inc. at a total Cost of $37,736.07. Seconded by Alderman Lanyon. Alderman Esch reported that Neighbors at Work, who rent vans from the City of Evanston reported that their vans are badly worn. Fleet Services has been asked to see if the two vans these mini -vans are replacing are in good enough shape to rent to Neighbors at Work. Roll call. Voting aye - Korshak, Morton, Washington, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman, Warshaw, Rudy, Paden, Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (17-0) * Approval of the second low bidder for Liquid Chlorine for Water Treatment from Hydrite Chemical Corporation at a cost of $356.00 per ton. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL Docket 55-3A-90: Separate Collection of Yard Wastes - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve of a Program for the collection and disposal of yard wastes separately to comply with State regulations and City Council's direction of March 13, 1989. This Docket item was held in committee. A special meeting has been scheduled for Monday, April 2, 1990 at 7:00 pm to discuss this docket item. * Docket 56-3A-90: Resolution 15-R-90 - Statement of Intent - Health Department Intergovernmental Pool - Consideration of proposed Resolution 15-R-90, by which the City Council would express intent to participate in an Intergovernmental Health department Risk Retention Pool. * ADOPTED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * 57-3A-90: Resolution 16-R-90 - Designating Signatories for Senior Citizen Taxicab Subsidy Account - Consideration of proposed . Resolution 16-R-90, by which the City Council would designate signatories for the Senior Citizen Taxicab Subsidy Account. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL * Docket 58-3A-90: Ordinance 6-0-90 - Traffic Control - Wesley/Lee - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 6-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5, Schedule V(D), of the Code of the City of Evanston to change the intersection of Wesley Avenue and Lee Street from a two-way stop to a four-way stop. * MARKED INTRODUCED_ - CONSENT AGENDA Docket 46-2B-90: Ordinance 21-0-90 - Loading Zone - Darrow at di Simpson -- Consideration of proposed Ornance 21-0-90, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-7, Schedule VII(B), of the Code of the City of Evanston to create a passenger loading zone on the east side of Darrow Avenue, north of Simpson Street. At the February 26, 1990 meeting, this docket item was held in committee. * Docket 59-3A-90: Ordinance 23-0-90 - Sale of 1815 and 1817 Lemar Avenue - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 23-0-90, by which the City Council would authorize the City Manager to give notice of the proposal to sell two vacant municipally -owned properties at 1815 and 1817 Lemar Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 43-2B-90: Ordinance 14-0-90 - Revision to Parking Fines - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 14-0-90, introduced on February 26, 1990, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-7, Schedule XVII, of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the fine for certain parking violations from $5 to $10. The violations include parking in posted "No Parking" zones, blocking alleys, improper use of loading zones, and others. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL FM -6- March 12, 1990 * Docket 44-2B-90: Ordinance 19-0-90 - No Parking Zone - Ashland-Central/Lincoln - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 19-0-90, introduced on February 26, 1990, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-9, Schedule IX, of the Code of the City of Evanston to prohibit parking on the west side of Ashland Avenue between Central street and Lincoln Street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. * ADOPTED -- CONSENT AGENDA NOTION AND ROLL CALL * Docket 45-2B-90: Ordinance 20-0-90 - Loading Zone - Harrison at Hartrey - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 20-0-90, introduced on February 26, 1990, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-7, Schedule VIVA), of the Code of the City of Evanston to create a passenger loading zone on the north side of Harrison Street east of Hartrey Avenue. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA NOTION AND ROLL CALL Docket 252-1OB-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. A copy of proposed Resolution 62-R-89 and a descriptive memorandum were transmitted for the October 23, 1989 meeting. 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. Docket 292-11B-89: Resolution 80-R-89 - Revenue Transfer to Tax Increment Finance Fund - Consideration of proposed Resolution 80-R-89, by which the City Council would authorize the transfer of $1,000,000 from the Parking System Fund to the Tax Increment Financing District Capital Improvement Downtown II Fund. Alderman Esch moved Council adoption of Resolution 80-R-89. Seconded by Alderman Wold. Discussion: Alderman Rainey expressed her strong disagreement with transferring these funds to the Tax Increment Financing District Capital Improvement Fund and said that most citizens did not wish the transfer to take place either. She reminded everyone that during budget deliberations, she had suggested that employees pick up some portion of their health insurance coverage but was told that she could not discuss this in public. However, in this evening's packet there was a report from the City's insurance consultant suggesting the City do precisely that. She said that she wanted to save the taxpayers $400,000 next year by reducing the General Fund Levy by $400,000 this year, which would require the Council to come up with similar savings next year. She said that she felt that an employee contribution of $10 a month for family coverage was not enough to ask of an employee. Alderman Rained moved to amend the motion to transfer $400,000 into the General Fund to reduce the General Fund Levy and to transfer $600,000 to the Police Pension Fund. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Discussion among Aldermen Korshak, Brady, Esch, Collens, Lanyon, Rainey, Davis, Feldman concerning the following: supporting the Rainey amendment; things have been said so many times that have fallen on deaf ears; hoping that citizens were looking at how Council spent their money; suggested that Research Park supporters were divided into two groups: those who were blind believers and those who asked questions; those who ask questions should not be characterized "as bad people"; the TIF funds have not come in as well as expected; we can't give the Research Park everything it wants; and if it needs money, that money should not be slipped in casually; a bond issue should be introduced to let citizens know that economic development has a cost; discussed the unfunded liability in the Police Pension Fund; suggested we needed to discuss the Police Pension Fund at a separate meeting; suggested that a $400,000 reduction in the General Fund Levy would only result in a $9.40 reduction in the average homeowner's tax bill; the money is better spent on infrastructure; if we go to bonds on this issue, we will have to break budget policy or not fund some other capital projects that have already been slated; supporting the issuance of General Obligation bonds; suggesting that expenditures be cut in other areas; issuing bonds will cost us an extra $500,000 (over ten years) if we issue bonds for this work; should we spend a half million dollars to give each citizen a $9.40 of tax relief; questioning whether a bond issue is a more open and public act than acting upon this docket item now; this transfer of funds has been discussed repeatedly over several meetings; a bond issue doesn't give citizens additional input, it is not a referendum; speaking 1 1 -7- March 12, 1990 against the amendment -- suggesting that you should spend the money you have on hand before you issue bonds; in the public sector you have to pay both principal and interest; this should not be considered a "gift" to taxpayers, it is their money; the Research Park is an economic development project that will return benefits to the taxpayers over time, therefore, by issuing bonds we will pay for it over time; when the City Manager brings a bond issue to cover the rest of the Research Park improvements, Council will be reminded that there is no room in budget policy to bond for the Research Park; suggesting that it is more honest to issue bonds for a project you believe in; if bond issues are that bad, then many Council members should oppose the issuance of any bonds for the Research Park; we have to weigh the cost of borrowing versus using cash on hand; use of the one million dollars available from the Parking Fund would allow us to avoid the cost of borrowing for these improvements in the Research Park; suggesting we should worry as much about underfunding of the Fire Pension Fund as the Police Pension Fund; questioning whether we owe more to the Research Park than to the people who work for us; we have a moral obligation to be concerned about funding the Pension Funds; the underfunding of the Police Pension Fund has now quadrupled and we should not be telling our children that it is their obligation to pay for it; questioning whether the Council has forgotten that during budget deliberations there was a room full of citizens asking for tax relief; questioning why the Council is making no effort to respond to them; we should respond to citizens' demands and not give the money to the Research Park; although $400,000 will give minimal tax relief to the individual taxpayer, it.shows that we are being responsive to citizens requests; in Evanston we should preserve the tradition that the average citizen has the ability.to change policy; Alderman Rainey's motion demonstrates that the Council is responding to citizens. Alderman Collens called for the question. Seconded by Alderman Wold. Motion carried. No nays. Vote on Alderman Rainey's substitute motion. Motion failed. Alderman Rainey moved to table the docket item. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Motion failed. Vote on Resolution 80-R-89. Roll call. Voting aye - Morton, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Lanyon, Rudy, Drummer, Davis, Brady. Voting nay - Korshak, Washington, Rainey, Feldman, Warshaw, Paden, Esch. Motion carried. (10-7) Docket 165-6B-89: Resolution 40-R-89 - Public Easement - Emerson/Maple - Consideration of proposed Resolution 40-R-89, by which the City Council would create a public easement north of University Place west of Maple Avenue. This item was held in committee. Docket 169-6B-89: Ordinance 83-0-89 - Alley Vacation - Emerson/Maple - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 83-0-89, by which the City Council would vacate the alley north of University Place, south of Emerson Street, west of Maple Avenue. Alderman Rainey moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 83-0-89. Seconded by Alderman Brady. Roll call. Voting aye - Morton, Wold, Nelson, Wollin, Collens, Lanyon, Rudy, Drummer, Davis, Brady. Voting nay - Korshak, Washington, Rainey, Feldman, Warshaw, Paden, Esch. Motion failed. (10-7) (Council rules require an affirmative vote of three -fourths of the elected Aldermen (14 votes) for the vacation of streets and alleys.) Alderman Collens raised a Point of Information concerning whether the committee vote reported on the yellow agenda of four ayes and one nay was that of the Administration & Public Works Committee or the Mayor's Special Committee on the Research Park. It was clarified that the vote was that of the Mayor's Special Committee on the Research Park. Alderman Collens commented that apparently two members of that committee had changed their minds since that meeting and she was looking forward to their explanation of why they did so sometime in the future. v Docket 60-3A-90: Recommendations on Transfer of ECDC Loan Portfolio to City - Consideration of recommendations from the Housing & Community Development Act Committee regarding the transfer of the Evanston Community Development Corporation's (ECDC) Housing Rehabilitation Loan Portfolio to the City's Housing Rehabilitation and Property Maintenance Department.* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL -8- March 12, 1990 Docket 61-3A-90: Resolution 17-R-90 - Amending the 1989-90 and 1990-91 CDBG Programs - Consideration of proposed Resolution 17-R-90, by which the City Council would amend the 1989-90 and 1990-91 Community Development Block Grant Programs to authorize the reallocation of unexpended roof repair funds to repair the facade of the building at 1817 Church Street (ECDC offices). = ADOPTED -- CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL x Docket 62-3A-90: Approval of Monthly► Township Bills - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve payment of Township bills for the month of February 1990 in the amount of $480,543.43. = APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL City Manager Joel M. Asprooth called Council's attention to two memoranda asking for suggestions for the 1990 Sidewalk and Curb Replacement Program. In response to a question from Alderman Rainey, City Manager Asprooth clarified that the City tries to do curbs in entire block segments for aesthetic and non -aesthetic reasons. However, he said that if an Alderman had a suggestion for a partial replacement he would be happy to have it evaluated and discuss it with that Alderman. In response to a question from Alderman Drummer, he explained that replacing a segment of curb created not only aesthetic problems, but sometimes functional and financing problems as well. Mayor Barr introduced the name of Brian K. Lamberg, 1417 Noyes Street, for appointment to the Electrical Commission. Mayor Barr introduced the names of Charles Klosterman, 2009 Harrison Street and Marianne Zelesky, 2641 Prairie Avenue, for reappointment to the Environmental Control Board. Mayor Barr introduced the name of Irwin Leavitt, 1327 Sherwin Avenue, Chicago, for appointment to the Taxicab Advisory Board. Alderman Paden questioned whether the nominee for the Taxicab Advisory Board, Irwin Leavitt, is a full-time or part-time driver. Mayor Barr replied that she was not certain whether he was full-time or part-time, but that he was the first independent driver to apply. Alderman Paden suggested that an independent driver whose livelihood who depends on driving a taxi full-time, might be a better representative than a part-time driver. Alderman Davis reported that there had been more power outtages in the 3rd hard, but that locating the fault had been easier with the new equipment Commonwealth Edison had installed recently. She said that Commonwealth Edison appeared to at a loss to explain why the failures had occurred. She requested to know the status of the legal analysis which she had previously asked for as to whether Commonwealth Edison is providing the service that they had contracted to provide under the Franchise Agreement. Alderman Brady thanked Alderman Rainey for taking the alley vacation issue off the table and said that it was an issue that had been clouded for too long. She said she was delighted that they had voted on it, regardless of the outcome. Alderman Korshak reported that he had been wondering how long you have to be on City Council to stop listening to those not on City Council. He said that he had the feeling that there was a spreading spirit in the City of people who are beginning to wonder what sort of people are sitting on City Council. He said that he'd like to believe that there were people out there, whom he had never met, who really believe that we listen to them. He also said that he'd like to believe that if they come to the conclusion that there are those on the Council who do not listen to them, they will look around and find people who will. 1 1 -9- March 12, 1990 Alderman Morton commented that she had not received any minutes for City/Chamber meetings. Alderman Rudy said that the Executive Director of the Chamber writes the minutes and that none had been received by Committee members either. He said that he would be happy to speak to the Director again. Mayor Barr commented that as soon as minutes were received they could be duplicated and distributed. Alderman Morton made a reference to the Budget Policy Committee to consider and bring to the Council a clear cut recommendation as to whether or not the Council could give advice to the City Manager as to the elimination of any rise in taxes for the next year. Alderman Wold noted that two meeting times on the yellow agenda were not correct. The Township Committee will be meeting at 7:30 pm and the Police Services Committee has changed its meeting time permanently to 7:30 pm. Alderman Nelson commented that it should be noted that there were two other permutations and combinations, one being 10-7 and the other being 11-6. Alderman Wollin said that she wanted it noted that just because certain Council members have a different perspective of what responsible stewardship means, it does not mean that they are out of touch with their constitutents. Alderman Collens reported that she had received several phone calls from constitutents who were wondering what is going on in City Council. She said that they had asked what kind of Chicago -style deals were being made in the Council and questioned why issues were being decided on the basis of trading one thing for another, rather than on the merits of the issue. She said that she felt that the Council had debated the merits of transfering the funds from the Parking Fund, people had come out in different ways, and the Council had voted to transfer the funds. She said that no one had explained to her what was different about the alley now than the last time it was discussed in Committee. The excuse for not voting for it in the past had to do with the parking program, now it has to do with the transfer to the T.I.F., another time it will have to do with yet something else. She said that it had nothing to do with the alley. Her constituents are saying that that is a real shame and that is what she is responding to. Alderman Rainey gave Alderman Collens a letter she had received from one of Alderman Collen's constituents. Alderman Feldman read a letter which thanked him and two other aldermen for their letter -to -the -editor published in the March 8 Evanston Review. The letter writer expressed frustration and depression with the City budget process and praised the ("minority") Aldermen for using any parliamentary means at their disposal to attempt to stem the disposition of Evanston's resources whenever Northwestern beckons. The writer suggested that there are numbers of people who will consider leaving Evanston, despite its advantages, because of its high taxes. (A copy of the letter is available in the City Clerk's office.) Alderman Warshaw said that she didn't like the term "Chicago politics" being used to characterize use of the parliamentary system that Council rules supply aldermen with. She said that it was the only backup that a minority Council member can use when fighting the majority. They are the very rules that this Council established as a body and she said that she didn't think there was anything evil or political about using the tools they had at their disposal. She said that it was unfortunate that what she called "leverage", not deal making, was not listened to. Many compromises have been brought before this body that could have benefited the citizens, but if the majority doesn't want to listen, then it is the prerogative of the majority. The constituents will make the final decision. Alderman Rudy moved to go into CLOSED SESSION to deal with pending litigation, land acquisition and personnel. Seconded by Alderman Nelson. Roll call. Voting aye - Korshak, Morton, Washington, Wold, Wollin, Collens, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman, Warshaw, Rudy, Paden, Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch. Voting nay - Nelson. Motion carried. (16-1) The Council so recessed 10:30 pm. There being no further business, Mayor Barr asked for a motion to adjourn, the Council so moved and adjourned from CLOSED SESSION at 11:17 p.m. KIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK 242 1 C 1