HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1991-08-26-1991!qz-
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CITY COUNCIL
August 26, 1991
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
Warshaw
Alderman
Paden
Alderman
Feldman
Alderman
Lanyon
Alderman
Esch
Alderman
Washington
Alderman
Engelman
Alderman
Wollin
Alderman
Moran
Alderman
Heydemann
Alderman
Newman
Alderman
Fiske
Alderman
Kent
Alderman
Nelson
Alderman
Davis
Alderman
Brady
The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, August 26,
1991, at 9:11 P.M.
ROLL CALL - PRESENT:
Alderman Warshaw
Alderman Fiske
Alderman Newman
Alderman Paden
Alderman Drummer
Alderman Davis
Alderman Brady
Alderman Esch
A quorum being present.
ABSENT: Alderman Washington
TARDY: None
PRESIDING: Mayor Joan W. Barr
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
Alderman Heydemann
Alderman Kent
Alderman Moran
Alderman -Nelson
Alderman Wollin
Alderman Engelman
Alderman Rainey
Alderman Lanyon
Alderman Feldman
City Manager Eric A. Anderson announced that the refuse collection schedule for
next week would be adjusted to accomodate the Labor Day holiday. There will be no
collection on Monday, September 2. The area scheduled for Monday refuse, recycling
and yard waste pickup will be collected on Tuesday September 3 and the area
scheduled for Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, September 4. Thursday and
Friday schedules will remain the same.
In response to a question from Alderman Drummer, City Manager Anderson clarified
that the Labor Day holiday will be a parking holiday.
Iq-� -2- August 26, 1991
CITIZEN COMMENT:
Nick Athens, 319 Dempster Street, expressed surprise that the Council approved the
selection of the Library Design Competition Jury; questioned whether the jury had
recommended the best design; suggested that the design should be evaluated by a
library design consultant; questioned the Library Design Competition process; said
that the three consultants who said that the current library could not be expanded
were not very.professional; questioned the phasing (staging) process; suggested
that the current library should be rehabbed and expanded by building a tower on the
parking lot behind the library;•suggested that nothing else could be built with the
money available.
In response to a question from Alderman Rainey, City Manager Anderson clarified
that he will make a recommendation to the Council that a library design consultant
be retained during the design development phase for the library and that the
individual he will recommend is recognized by the AIA and the Library Association
as an expert in the field.
MINUTES:
Alderman Drummer moved that the minutes of
as submitted in writing to the members of
reading. Seconded by Alderman Heydemann.
COMMUNICATIONS:
the Regular Meeting of August 12, 1991,
the City Council, be approved without
Motion carried. No nays.
City Clerk Kirsten F. Davis announced the receipt of a communication from the
Illinois Department of'Revenue reporting that the Sales Tax for Evanston for the
month of June, 1991, has been reported and collected as follows:
Net Municipal Retailers', Use &
Service Occupation Tax Collected
Net Municipal Sales Tax
$ 419,993.82
0.00
419,993.82
Alderman Nelson referred this communication to the Finance Director.
Mayor Barr announced there would be a CLOSED SESSION to discuss pending litigation,
real estate acquisition and personnel:
CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item -Marked with an Asterisk) Alderman Nelson moved
Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exceptions: Removing
$11,320.000 from the bills lists on Page 32 under Evanston Community Development?;
under Purchases removing the Transportation Center construction and Noyes Center
windows; Docket. 223-8A-91: R.E.P.D. Visitor permits; Docket 248-8B-91 the F.I.T.
Program - New Bibleway Pentecostal Church; Docket 228-8A-91: Ordinance 88-0-91 and
Docket 244-8B-91: Resolution 74-R-91. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll call.
Voting aye - Warshaw, Fiske, Newman, Paden, Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch, Heydemann,
Kent, Moran, Nelson, Wollin, Engelman, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman. Voting nay - none.
Motion carried. (17-0)
Bills and Payroll
* Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending August
21, 1991; for the City of Evanston payroll for the period ending August 11, 1992;
and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized
as follows:
City of Evanston bills $2,001,023.65
City of Evanston payroll 1,237,981.23
*APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-1)
PURCHASES
Approval of the low bid for design, land acquisition and construction costs of the
Evanston Transportation Center. This item was held in committee.
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August 26, 1991 ' / q Y,
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In reference to the Noyes Center Window purchase, Alderman Rainey explained that the
contractor presented a base bid and an alternate bid which represent the cost of two
different types of windows. The committee was uncertain which window to purchase and
will make that determination at the next meeting after they see sample windows. She
explained that the committee was recommending that Council approve the contractor so
measurement of the windows could begin.
Alderman Rainey moved Council approval of awarding the contract for window replacement
at Noyes Cultural Arts Center to Mid -America Industrial Inc., and accepting their
alternate bid #2 for $6,050.00 for basement windows, with the determination to be made
at the next meeting whether to accept the base bid or alternate bid #1, depending on
the window type selected by the committee. Seconded by Alderman Nelson. Motion
carried. No nays.
BID SUMMARY:
Alternate Alternate
Bidder Base Bid Bid One Bid Two
Mid -America Industrial, Inc. $ 85,420.00 $ 73,070.00 $ 6,050.00
Elk Grove Village, IL
Jensen Window Corp. 92,452.00 79,020.00 6,642.00
Bridgeview, IL
Builders Architectural Products 97,800.00 99,364.00 9,366.00
Northbrook, IL
Chicago Glass Co. 109,820.00 96,490.00 7,480.00
Chicago, IL
Raney Harris Co. 127,600.00 99,000.00 6,100.00
Chicago, IL
MILCO 140,632.00 118,269.00 13,598.00
Palatine, IL
American Construction Mgt. No Bid 112,835.00 15,500.00
Chicago, IL
* Approval of the proposal from North Shore Towing for a Towing Contract with the
Evanston Police Department for the period September 1, 1991 through August 31, 1992 at
the schedule of rates submitted. (Non -Bid Item, Requires 2/3 Majority Vote)
* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of the low bid from Hecker & Co. for Street Lighting Improvements on Green
Bay Road at a total cost of $266,982.50.
BID SUMMARY:
Bidder
Hecker & Co.
Chicago, IL
Wood Electrical Construction
Wheeling, IL
L & S Construction
Chicago, IL
Aldrige Electric, Inc.
Libertyville, IL
* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
Total Cost
$ 266,982.50
289,669.25
322,651.50
334,721.00
195" -4- August-26, 1991
* Approval of the low bid from Wood Electrical Construction Inc., for street lighting
improvements on Howard Street, Sheridan Road and Noyes Street at a total cost of
$243,857.45.
BID SUMMARY:
Bidder
Wood Electrical Construction, Inc.
Wheeling, IL
Aldridge Electric, Inc.
Libertyville, IL
Hecker & Co.
Chicago, IL
Total Cost
$ 243,857.45
257,915.80
259,513.00
L & S Construction Co. 274,495.75
Chicago, IL
* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of the proposal from Braniff Communications, Inc., for Siren Repair
Contract at a total cost of $21,744.90. (Non -Bid Item, Requires 2/3 Majority Vote)
APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of the low bid from Action Fence Co. for the King Lab School Fencing
Project at a total cost of $7,695.00.
BID SUMMARY:
Bidder Total Cost
Action Fence Co. $ 7,695.00
Palatine, IL
Midwest Fence 8,415.00
Chicago, IL
Fencemasters, Inc. 8,736.00
Blue Island, IL
Tru-Link Fence Co. 12,224.00
Chicago, IL
* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of the low bid from Video & Sealing, Inc. for Sewer Cleaning and TV
Inspection at a total cost of $45,230.85.
BID SUMMARY:
Bidder Total Cost
Video & Sealing, Inc. $ 45,230.85
Wauconda, IL
Visu-Sewer Clean & Seal, Inc. 48,323.48
Menomonee Falls, WI
National Power Rodding Corp. 75,111.30
Chicago, IL
* APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of a Green Bay Road Design Engineering Services Change Order to Teng &
Associates, Inc. for $10,998.00. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL.
(17-0)
* Approval of the proposal from Globe Construction for the 1991 Combined Curb &
Sidewalk Replacement Program Change Order at a total cost of $12,552.25. (Non -Bid
Item, Requires 2/3 Majority Vote) = APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL.
(17-0)
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Evanston Transportation Center Construction Engineering services was held in committee.
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August 26, 1991 8
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* Approval of the proposal from Tele-Collections, Inc., for Parking Ticket Collection
at a cost of 30% of revenues collected. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL
CALL. (17-0)
* Approval of two change orders for sewer construction in drainage basin S03: (1)
extension of time to complete the contract from June 10, 1992 to June 18, 1992; (2)
$10,470.00 Change Order to LoVerde Construction Company, Inc., raising the total
contract amount to $2,699,158.00. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL.
(17-0)
Docket 223-8A-91: Resident Exemption Parking District Visitor Permits
Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council authorize the
issuance of permits for visitors in Resident Exemption Parking Districts.
This docket item was held in committee.
* Docket 233-8B-91: Amendment to Parks Capital Improvement Project
Schedule - Consideration of a recommendation that certain designated
changes be approved in the existing Capital Improvement Program Project
Schedule, and that five designated Parks be included in a matching grant
application by the City Manager. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND
ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Docket 234-8B-91: Closing of Grove Street for Grand Opening -
Consideration of a request that the City Council permit the closing of
Grove Street between Oak Avenue and the alley east on Sunday, September
29, 1991 for a grand opening celebration at 1020 Grove Street. * APPROVED
- CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Docket 235-8B-91: Ordinance 89-0-91 - Snow Emergency Penalties -
Consideration of proposed Ordinance 89-0-91, by which the City Council
would modify Section 10-4-13-(D) of the Code of the City of Evanston to
clarify the definition of Snow Route Parking Ban and Snow Emergency.
* MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA.
* Docket 236-8B-91: Ordinance 90-0-91 - Renewal of Lekotek's Lease -
Consideration of proposed Ordinance 90-0-91, by which the City Council
would renew Lekotek's lease of Civic Center office space for the 3-year
period October 1, 1991 through September 30, 1994. *. MARKED INTRODUCED -
CONSENT AGENDA.
* Docket 237-8B-91: Ordinance 91-0-91 - Parking Prohibition -
Dempster/Maple - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 91-0-91, 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 at all times on the north
side of Dempster Street between the alley east of Maple Avenue and the
alley west of Maple Avenue to improve sight distance and reduce accidents.
* MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA.
* Docket 238-8B-91: Ordinance 92-0-91 - Snow Emergency Towing -
Consideration of proposed Ordinance 92-0-91, by which the City Council
would modify Section 10-4-13(E) of the Code of the City of Evanston to
make towing an option, not mandatory, in snow emergencies. * MARKED
INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA.
* Docket 245-8B-91: Resolution 75-R-_91 - Prevailing Wage Rates -
Consideration of proposed Resolution 75-R-91, by which the City Council
would ascertain and establish prevailing wage rates for various categories
of workers engaged in the work associated with public works construction
projects with the City of Evanston. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND
ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Docket 230-8A-91: Ordinance 87-0-91 - 4-Way Stop - Keeney/Dewey -
Consideration of proposed Ordinance 87-0-91, introduced August 12, 1991,
by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5 of the Code of the
City of Evanston to establish a four-way stop at the intersection of
Keeney Street and Dewey Avenue. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL
CALL. (17-0)
-6- August 26, 1991
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
* Docket 239-8B-91: Tent Permit for King Home - 1555 Oak
Avenue - Consideration of a request from the King Home for
permission to erect a series of tents for a celebration to take
place on September 29, 1991. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION
AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
Docket 240-8B-91: Families In Transition Program - New Bibleway
Pentecostal Church - Consideration of a recommendation that the
City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an Agreement
with the New Bibleway Pentecostal Church in the amount of $12,500
in conjunction with the Families in Transition Program.
Alderman Warshaw moved Council approval of the recommendation. Seconded by
Alderman Brady.
Discussion. Alderman Newman expressed reservations about this recommendation,
saying that.he did not see a transition in this proposal because the wife was
"only considering going through a training program." He said that if the city
was going to award money to this family, the wife should do more than
"consider going to a training program." He suggested that perhaps it is time
to do a total evaluation of this program. He expressed concern that only
churches had participated in this and that other non -for -profit groups had
not. He said it seems that the only way to get into this program is to be
connected to a church and there are many people in Evanston who are in need of
a transition who are not church members.
Alderman Warshaw clarified that this family had gone from a state of
homelessness to being almost self-sufficient and that there were plans for
education and stability going forth. She further explained that, in many
cases there was no previous connection between the F.I.T. applicants and the
churches and the churches that sponsored them. Sponsorship of these
individuals came about through community outreach by those churches.
Alderman Brady explained that this family had already gone from the homeless
shelter to an apartment. She said that the original premise behind this
transition program was that the transition would be brought about by
vocational training. However, she said that the transition from homelessness
to stability was important to support, and that this was an exceptionally good
family to help.
Alderman Heydemann added her support to this recommendation. She suggested
that the evaluation of this program ought to be independent of whether this
family deserves the money or not. She said that this was one of the best
investments we can make.
Alderman Drummer expressed his support for the program and said that it is
good to get other institutions in Evanston involved in community outreach to
those who are less fortunate. He also concurred with Alderman Newman that
this program should be evaluated. He expressed some concern that the Housing
Commission and the Planning & Devleopment Committee were getting involved in
human services issues. He said he felt the Human Services Director should be
involved and there should be a better link between the Human Services
Committee and the Planning & Development Committee on these issues.
Alderman Newman made a Reference to the Planning & Development Committee to
review the program to explain why there have been no groups other than
churches involved with the program and also to incorporate some of Alderman
Drummer's suggestions regarding involvement with the Human Services Committee.
Roll call. Voting aye - Warshaw, Fiske, Paden, Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch,
Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Nelson, Wollin, Engelman, Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman.
Voting nay - Newman. Motion carried. (16-1)
-7- August 26, 1991
* Docket 219-8A-91: Resolution 56-R-91 - Application for Outdoor
Recreation Grant - Consideration of proposed Resolution 56-R-91,
by which the City Council would authorize the City Manager to
apply to the Illinois Department of Conservation for an Outdoor
Recreation Grant through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and
Development Division to redevelop Cartwright, Clyde-Brummel,
Harbert, McCulloch, and Southwest Parks. * ADOPTED - CONSENT
AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Docket 241-8B-91: Resolution 73-R-91 - Acquisition of Tax
Delinquent Vacant Parcels - Consideration of proposed Resolution
73-R-91, by which the City Council would authorize the submittal
of no -cash bids for the acquisition of various tax delinquent
vacant parcels at the Cook County tax scavenger sale. * ADOPTED -
CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
Alderman Warshaw explained that this resolution allows the city to acquire tax
delinquent vacant property through Cook County at scavenger sales at no cost
to the city. The delinquent taxpayers will have six months to redeem their
property. During that period of acquisition, the city plans to develop
requests for proposals (RFP) for affordable housing. The Housing'Commission,
the Planning & Development Committee and the City Council will all be involved
in making the best use of these vacant.parcels.
Alderman Newman commended the Housing Commission, the Planning & Development
Committee and especially Alderman Warshaw for coming forward with this idea
and taking advantage of certain Council members expertise in the area of
housing. This proposal will address boarded -up property and problem
properties. He commended both the Commission and the Committee for doing
something positive about these properties and wished them luck.
In response to a question from Alderman Rainey, Alderman Warshaw clarified
that the City can place bids on residential tax delinquent property, but the
period of redeemption for residential property from one -to -six units is two
years and if the property is owner -occupied, it is two -and -half years.
Buildings of seven units or more or those that are vacant, have a redeemption
period of six months. She further explained that the no -cash bids would be
made on vacant property because there are few occupied tax delinquent parcels
in Evanston and it is anticipated that most of them will be redeemed.
Robert Rudd, Director of Housing and Property Services, clarified that, at
present, the City is focused mainly on vacant lots to be used for in -fill
housing. To bid on owner -occupied homes is much more complicated and then the
city ends up owning someone's home.
Alderman Rainey suggested that the City focus on multi -family properties, not
single family homes.
Mr. Rudd said he was not sure that a proposal to bid on multi -family homes
would be prepared in time for the tax sale tomorrow.
Alderman Warshaw said there was a process called a forfeiture sale whereby the
City could acquire parcels that had not been bid on or redeemed, by having the
County make no -cash bids on the city's behalf anytime parcels are not
purchased or redeemed.
In response to a question from Alderman Esch, it was clarified that most of
the parcels are in one area and that those are the only ones currently
available.
Docket 220-8A-91: Ordinance 88-0-91 - Comprehensive Amendment
to the Zoning Ordinance - Consideration of proposed Ordinance
88-0-91, by which the City Council would adopt a comprehensive
amendment to the City of Evanston Zoning Ordinance.
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August 26, 1991
Alderman Warshaw announced that the committee expects to be considering this
docket item for a number of months and requested that Council put it on the
agenda under Items For Future Consideration.
Alderman Engelman expressed his reservations that an ordinance which has not
yet been introduced and has not yet been reported out of committee was going
to be moved to the back of the agenda. He said that only those ordinances
which had been introduced or tabled should be placed under Items for Future
Consideration. He said that this would allow placing an ordinance on the
agenda when it does not yet exist. He made a Reference to the Rules Committee
to look at how things are placed on the back of the agenda under Items for
Future Consideration.
Alderman Newman said that the ordinance does exist because it had been
reported out of the Zoning Commission and has been placed on the agenda by the
Rules Committee.
Alderman Drummer expressed his reservations about the matter and asked whether
the ordinance could be introduced.
Alderman Warshaw explained that the ordinance is not ready for introduction at
this time.
Alderman Brady concurred with Alderman Warshaw and said that at the suggestion
of Corporation Counsel Siegel, the Committee placed it on the agenda at the
last meeting because it would then be considered "pending legislation."
Putting it under Items for Future Consideration will serve notice to the
public that it is pending legislation.
Alderman Engelman said that there are numerous Items For Future Consideration,
some of which had been there for more than two years without action. He
further emphasized that if something has not been introduced, it should not be
on the agenda. He suggested that any alderman who has a pet peeve could put
that item on Items For Future Consideration with no intention of following
through on it, so items placed there would become meaningless. He renewed his
request that the Rules Committee look into the matter.
Mayor Barr said that the Reference to the Rules Committee was appropriate and
that the committee request was also appropriate and that the proposed Zoning
Ordinance will be placed under Items For Future Consideration.
Alderman Warshaw announced the Flood & Pollution Control Commission will meet
Wednesday, September 11, not on September 18, and announced the Police
Services Committee will meet Thursday, September S.
OTHER COMMITTEES:
* Docket 242-8B-91: Process for Evaluating City Council Structure
and Operations - Consideration of a recommendation that the City
Council implement a process for evaluating City Council structure
and operations as a result of the passage of the April 1991
Referendum which reduces the size of the Council from eighteen to
nine members. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL.
(17-0)
* Docket 243-8B-91: Non -Staggered Aldermanic Terms of Office -
Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council maintain
the election of Aldermen to the nine member City Council in 1993
to non -staggered terms of office. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (17-0)
* Docket 244-8B-91: Resolution 74-R-91 - Proposed City Council
Rules re Committee Reports to Council - Consideration of
proposed Resolution 74-R-91, by which the City Council would
implement changes in Council procedures for consideration of
Council agenda issues defeated or tabled in Committee. City
Council Rule 3.1 requires that proposed changes in City Council
Rules be distributed at least one week in advance of the vote on
the Rule Change. In accordance with City Council Rule 3.1, this
Resolution is scheduled for Council consideration on September 16,
1991. This item was held in Committee.
il
-9- August 26, 1991
MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Barr announced that the biennial Community Forum will be held Saturday,
September 14 at 9:00 A.M. She said that the event will be well publicized and
City Manager Anderson will address the public.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Barr asked Council confirmation of John B. Welch, 2415 McDaniel*Avenue,
for appointment to the Police Pension Board, term ending May 15, 1993.
Alderman Nelson moved Council confirmation of this appointment. Seconded by
Alderman Rainey. Motion carried. No nays.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Howard W. Melton, 2423 Park Place, for
reappointment to the Economic Development Committee.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Kim J. Koehn, 1041 Ridge Avenue, for
appointment to the Evanston Preservation Commission.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Suzanne Calder, 1509 Asbury Avenue, for
appointment to the Housing Commission.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Susan B. Johnson, 1029 Asbury Avenue, for
reappointment to the Human Relations Commission.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Sandra Donaldson, 1836 Hartrey Avenue, for
reappointment to the Human Relations Commission.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Frederick D. Malkinson, 822 Clinton Place.,
for reappointment to the Library Board.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Matthew J. Brackett, 201 Brown Avenue, for
reappointment to the Library Board.
Mayor Barr introduced the name of Michael Kerns, 2129 Sherman Avenue, for
appointment to the Mental Health Board.
Alderman Paden requested keys to the Aldermanic Library.
Alderman Drummer requested that the Township Committee be included on the
Municipal Directory the next time the brochure is printed.
Alderman Esch read a letter from constituent Mary Wood, that discussed the Ice
Skating Institute of America Recreational Figure Skating Championships held
August 12 -18 at the Robert'Crown Center stating it was the best kept secret
in town. (A copy of the letter is attached to the permanent minutes.)
Alderman Kent said that as they were nearing the end of their alley cleanups,
he wanted to thank Superintendent of Sanitation Zeltee Edwards and the
Department for fielping with alley cleanups in the 5th Ward. He said that
thanks to the Sanitation workers, the alleys in the 5th Ward are beginning to
look kind of respectable. He reported that you can actually drive a car down
one now without swerving from side to side to avoid the trash.
Alderman Kent complimented Chief Jacobi on the Police service in the ward
recently but suggested that Police telephone personnel, as well as patrol
officers, could use some sensitivity training.
Alderman Kent asked for a definition "affordable housing" and asked for a
definition of "discrimination" in reference to tenants and housing matters. He
requested direction from the Mayor and the City Manager to get him to the
right committee to handle tenant complaints that he had received about the
landlord of the following houses. He reported that the majority of the houses
at the following addresses were once owned by African -Americans: 1726 and 1740
Ashland; 1910, 1918, 1925, 1942 and 1944 Wesley Avenue; 1323 Emerson Street
and 1924 and 1925 Jackson Street. He said that these homes now belong to one
owner and he received complaints that the rents have been raised from $600 to
$800 a month; that leases will only be granted on a yearly basis; and that the
owner was trying to control the lifestyle of tenants.
-10- August 26, 1991
Alderman Kent asked that the Council increase its awareness of the
African -American community, which is also part of Evanston,.and asked them to
acquaint themselves with the hurt and anger present in that community. It is
a hurt that has been there a long time and that many people don't know
exists. He said he would like to start on the level of communication for
those who have never dealt with this. He said that without help, there is no
way we will ever be able to solve the problem of gangs and drugs in Evanston.
It requires a community effort. He recommended a book: There are No Children
Here, a story about two brothers growing up in the Henry Horner Homes. He
said that the story parallels that of most young males growing up on the west
side of Evanston in the 5th Ward. There is an aura there that says: "You are
born to fail, you are born to drop out of school, you are born to go to jail
and then you have your choices of (before you are 26) going back to jail or
you can die." He asked that the Council lend him their ears, their commitment
and their manpower. It's not how much cash Evanston can give to create
certain programs, but the love that comes from inside that we give our kids
that will change them. There is a plan and that plan starts with
communication. He said he will talk to each Alderman and ask them to join in
this plan with a commitment and their time. He said that without everyone
being committed, we cannot solve the problem.
Alderman Warshaw moved that Council recess into CLOSED SESSION. Seconded by
Alderman Lanyon. Roll call. Voting aye - Warshaw, Fiske, Newman, Paden,
Drummer, Davis, Brady, Esch, Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Nelson, Wollin, Engelman,
Rainey, Lanyon, Feldman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (17-0)
The Council so recessed at 10:05 P.M. and adjo rred from CLOSED SESSION at
12:41 A.M.
KIRSTEN F. DAVIS
CITY CLERK