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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES-1993-06-01-1993l0 CITY COUNCEL •- �� OF E * OOk O CO. June 1, 1"3 A SPECIAL MEETING of the Evanston City Council was held on Monday, June 1, 1993 at 7:38 P.M. in the City Council Chamber pursuant to a call by Aldermen Feldman, Holsman and Newman to discuss all matters related to the shopping center development at Howard and Hartrey. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Heydemann Alderman Kent A Quorum being present. ABSENT: Alderman Guthrie PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton Alderman Moran Alderman Engelman Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Assistant City Manager Aiello called Council's attention to the chronology of events related to the Howard/Hartrey project. She reviewed the many public and neighborhood meetings that had been held to discuss the project and detailed the modifications to the site plan, traffic flow, landscaping and lighting that had been made in response to neighbors' concerns. She reminded the aldermen that a mitigation fund of $100,000 had been established to deal with any unforeseen problems that may come up once the center is operational. She reported that, in response to a request from Alderman Stone, the three principals have agreed that it would be possible to off -set the center entrance opposite Albany Street in Chicago. She explained that the other demands made by Alderman Stone - to cut down on the number of lanes going east (there is only one) and to provide an exit north out of the center through James Park - were rejected by the City. She noted that an entrance going north to James Park would require a new bridge to be built over the Skokie Swift tracks. Ms. Aiello also reported that the City's motion for a change of venue had been approved that afternoon. Mayor Morton announced that there would be a Closed Session to deal with litigation matters. Alderman Feldman said that he felt that the chronology detailing the events related to the project had been a litany of conciliation and consideration for the neighbors. He asked Ms. Aiello if there had been any request made by the Chicago North Boundary neighbors that had not been honored. Ms. Aiello said that short of not building the center, most of the requests of the neighbors had been honored and the site design modified. She said that the City had always been aware that the Chicago neighbors were opposed to the project, did not believe that the site modifications were not enough and were in favor of building the wall. IV7 2 June 1, 1993 Alderman Holsman reported that he and Alderman Engelman had met with Alderman Stone and had requested that construction on the wall be stopped. Alderman Stone told them that he was unable to do so before the next morning. Alderman Holsman observed that if Alderman Stone had stopped building the wall at that point, there would have been less money wasted. Alderman Heydemann said that it was not palatable to her to spend any Evanston money to tear down the wall. She suggested to the media present that a project that might be interesting to do some investigative reporting on would be - who stands to benefit if the Howard/Hartrey development were not built; who owns the shopping center at Howard and Western and would benefit from not having a competing Jewel just down Howard Street; and whether the owner(s) contributed to either Alderman Stone's or Mayor Daley's campaigns. She also suggested that 50th Ward residents should be asked whether they were satisfied with all their city services and whether their streets, alleys and sewers were in good repair. She felt that the $150,000 reported to have been spent on building the wall could have been better used to benefit 50th Ward residents. Ms. Aiello clarified that Jewel had told her that they would keep the store at Howard and Western open. Alderman Newman said that he was glad that negotiations with Alderman Stone were continuing, but that he wanted the Council to establish some parameters to those negotiations. He moved that the City continue with the litigation on file: that the Citv not nav anv costs associated with the erection. modification or removal of the wall (he clarified that he meant that neither the mitigation fund monies or Tax Increment Financine funds should be used): and that the Citv stav in full contact with the Evanston neighbors during the negotiations and that they be allowed to comment on anv traffic modifications that may result from the negotiations: and that at no time would the City consider building an exit going north to James Park. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Feldman suggested that the alderman of the Eighth Ward should be part of all negotiations. Alderman Drummer said that, while he agreed with all the points raised by Alderman Newman's motion, he felt it was too broad and that he would like to have the benefit of Closed Session discussion on the litigation aspect of this issue before he voted. Mayor Morton noted that the Council had not yet heard the Corporation Counsel's report on his court appearance that day and felt it would be wise to hear that before voting on any motion. Alderman Heydemann said that she would like to discuss this in Closed Session and have the guidance of the staff as to how much input the City can have on how the developer spends his money. Alderman Newman clarified that he did not want any of the $7 million that the City is allocating to this project to go to financing either the construction or the tearing down of the wall, either directly or indirectly. He felt that the Evanston taxpayers should not have to pay for an irrational act committed by the City of Chicago. He suggested that the interests of Evanston citizens be paramount in the negotiations. He felt that the motion was consistent with what the people of Evanston want. Alderman Engelman said that no one in Evanston wanted to pay for the wall to be removed. He said that during the meeting with Alderman Stone, he and Alderman Holsman had made it clear to Alderman Stone that the road he suggested building to allow shoppers to exit north was not feasible and that it would be of little use, because people would not want to exit north to go south. He suggested that further discussion should take place in Closed Session so the Council did not make its negotiating strategy public, which would give Alderman Stone information to rebut the City's points. rd 1 3 June 1, 1993 Alderman Drummer said that each alderman understands how to protect constituents' money and felt that Council wasn't ready at this time to consider Alderman Newman's motion. He reminded the aldermen that the mayor had promised that the meetings would not go on into the wee hours. Mayor Morton noted that it was possible that the Council would not make a motion after they came back from Closed Session. Alderman Feldman said that there was a motion on the floor and that no one was going to withdraw it because Alderman Stone's action had been frivolous. He felt that it was important to establish clear parameters and to indicate to citizens that the City would not pay one cent of expenses related to the wall. He suggested that the motion did not tie the hands of the developer - they can take money out of their pocket, but should not use any money that came, either directly or indirectly, from the City of Evanston. He said that the wall was an affront to civility, an indecent and aggressive act against the City of Evanston. He stressed the importance of having Council make a statement of policy. Alderman Hevdemann moved that Council recess into Closed Session to discuss matters of litication. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Alderman Newman asked whether the motion included laying his motion on the table until after the Closed Session. Alderman Hevdemann amended her motion to include the tablinc of Alderman Newman's motion until after Closed Session. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Roll call. Voting aye - Aldermen Newman, Drummer, Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Engelman, Holsman and Feldman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (8-0) The Council so recessed at 8:15 P.M. and reconvened in Open Session at 9:37 P.M. Alderman Holsman moved that 1.) the City of Evanston continue to Drosecute the existing lawsuit: 2.) the City will not Day. either directly or indirectly. any costs associated with the wall: 3.) there will be no chances to the site Dlan north of Howard Street. except that the City of Evanston will anorove an off -set of the exit onnosite Albany Street - if the wall on Howard Street is removed. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Motion carried. No nays. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved and adjourned at 9:39 P.M. KIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK 1