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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1993-08-09-19931 1 1TY COUNCIL Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current members are as follows: �w August 9, 1993 Administration and Public Works Alderman Newman Alderman Heydemann Alderman Engelman Alderman Drummer Alderman Kent Alderman Holsman Alderman Guthrie Alderman Moran Alderman Feldman Plannin¢ and Development Alderman Heydemann Alderman Kent Alderman Newman Alderman Engelman Human Services Alderman Feldman Alderman Drummer Alderman Moran Alderman Guthrie Alderman Holsman The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, August 9, 1993, at 8:37 P.M. in the City Council Chamber. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Engelman Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Guthrie Alderman Heydemann Alderman Moran A Quorum being present. ABSENT: Alderman Kent PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton An audio tape recording of this meeting has been made part of the permanent record and is available in the City Clerk's office. 2 August 9, 1993 MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morton announced that she would have an open house, August 16-20, Monday - Friday, from 9:30 A.M.- 12 noon and 2:30 - 4:30 P.M., and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. She said that she had learned since taking office that many people had never seen the mayor's office, and since it had recently been renovated, she wanted to invite everyone to come and visit. Mayor Morton announced there would be a CLOSED SESSION to deal with pending litigation and disposition of property at the end of the meeting. RESEARCH PARK REPORT: Jon O. Nelson, Vice President of the Research Park, Inc. Board, said that the Research Park was developing well in spite of the economy, but not as vigorously as everyone would like. He began his quarterly status report to the Council with a brief historical review of the development of the park and pointed out that it was embarked upon as an economic development tool. He said that the newest entity to be developed in the park was the Technology Innovation Center, which is a not -for -profit corporation because that allows it to solicit grants from foundations and other groups in order to enhance the operation of the Incubator. A number of technology transfer initiatives have been set up by Northwestern University over the last several years in conjunction with the park, including the Basic Industry Research Lab (BIRL), the Institute for Learning Sciences, the Infrastructure Technology Institute and the Center for Biotechnology. To foster economic development on a city-wide basis the City, the University and various business groups have cooperated in setting up Evanston Inventure, Evanton Business Investment Corporation (EBIC) and the Small Business Development Corporation. Mr. Nelson reported that the park was 15-17 % developed and had acquired four new tenants, providing about 100 new jobs, since the last report and that the buildings were 96 % leased. Repayment of the TIF is slightly ahead of projections. The park currently has 852 full and part-time jobs, 280 are held by women and 153 held by minorities. Approximately 17 %, or 167 jobs are held by Evanston residents. He said that a pot hole fixer developed as a result of park research would be tested soon. The newest project in the park is a joint venture between a new tenant and an existing business - Video Adventure. He suggested that the Council come to the park for a tour during the next quarterly report. Mr. Nelson and William Ihlenfeldt, Chair of RPI, Inc., responded to questions raised by Aldermen Newman, Feldman, Drummer, Heydemann and Engelman concerning the following: how the 1800 Sherman Building, which was developed by a different developer, fits into the park; that currently the bulk of the TIF revenue is generated by the 1800 Sherman Building; whether the Shaw Company's marketing efforts have brought any tenants into the park; how many students work in the park; whether the BIRL's mission in the park had changed and what type of companies the park is attracting; whether it would be possible to lease out a new building if financing could be obtained to build it; the effect property taxes have on the ability to attract tenants to the park; the effect a divided Council has had on attracting or keeping tenants in the park; whether RPI should consider changes to the Master Plan at this time to help facilitate quicker development of the park in order to give taxpayers a return on their investment; how the Council could become more involved in policy decisions regarding the park and whether there would be enhanced opportunities for interaction between Council and RPI; how the park has engendered additional economic development opportunities, such as EBIC, that have allowed $1 million to leveraged into nearly $30 million in investment in the community; which companies have left the park because of a contentious Council. Alderman Newman made a reference to the Economic Development Committee to meet with the RPI Board to re- evaluate the Master Plan to see if chances can be made to the Dian that will speed uD the development of the nark. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Motion carried. No nays. To conclude his presentation, Mr. Nelson introduced Roseann Dineen, an RPI Board Member and Helen Squires, Public Information Coordinator of the Research Park. Mayor Morton thanked them all for the presentation and for the information that had been provided in writing beforehand. August 9., 1993P 2, CITIZIN COMMENT: Sidnev wick, 1720 Washington St., raised issues related to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts and characfazed them as dangerous; questioned the process used when a portion of Pitner Avenue was vacated near the pressed Sam's Warehouse Club building; questioned why a memorandum related to a cross impact study had been gim to representatives of Home Depot; suggested that there may be moral implications in getting involved in "so may" TIF's. Scott Davis. 608 Dempster St., complained about the availability of parking and ticketing procedures in central Evanstag stated he was ticketed for parking the same day the temporary sign prohibiting parking went up for street sweepimV suggested that anyone with a vehicle sticker should not have to pay to have a boot removed; questioned why anpne should buy a vehicle sticker when it did not grant any parking privileges; said that the fee to remove the boaftras too high; objected to lowering the number of parking tickets to five that would make a car boot -eligible and feitthat it would be more reasonable to move out of Evanston if that was the case. Mayor -Morton suggested that perhaps it would be more reasonable for Mr. Davis to move his car and noted that he wasgeceiving citations for failing to comply with the law. She asked him to submit dates, facts and figures to the CityManager and promised that he would look into his complaints and see if there was any justification for any other .at&n on the City's part related to sign allegedly placed the same day as street sweeping. Aldermn Feldman asked that the City Manager provide a public response to Mr. Zwick's comments. City ManaMAnderson said that he would do so at the next meeting. M NWS: Alderman Heydemann moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 12, 1993, as submitted in wri&S to the members of the City Council at the July 26, 1993, meeting be approved without reading and with the ad&ndum submitted in writing by Alderman Newman. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Motion carried. No nay. CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk*) Alders Drummer moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll call. Votingaye - Aldermen Engelman, Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann and Moran. Votipgnay - none. Motion carried. (8-0) *NEDMS: The mutes of the regular meeting of July 26, 1993, as submitted in writing to the members of the City Council, * APNOVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) ADMNISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: BI LLSAND PAYROLL * Appuval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending August 4, 1993; for City of Evanston payrol for the period ending July 25, 1993; and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accouft, summarized as follows: City of Evanston bills $ 3,227,659.52 City of Evanston payroll $ 1,312,360.19 City Council payroll 4,875.03 * AMOVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) 4 August 9, 1993 PURCHASES: * Approval of the low bid from Artley Paving for Paving of McDaniel Avenue from Dempster Street to Greenwood Street for a total estimated cost of $124,249.95. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Estimated Cost Artley Paving & Contracting Co. $124,249.95 Wheeling, IL J. A. Johnson Paving Company 126,155.00 Arlington Heights, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Approval of the low bid from Rinto Communications for Fire Department Apparatus Intercome System for a total cost of $25,886.60. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Rinto Communications $25,886.60 Wheaton, IL Chicago Communications Service 43,872.00 Arlington Heights, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-01 * Approval of the proposal from Practical Computer Associates/Miller Consulting for Computer Training Services at a total cost not to exceed $18,000. (Non -Bid Item, Requires a 2/3 Majority Vote) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Approval of the proposal from Deloitte & Touche for Insurance Benefit Consulting Services at a cost not to exceed $23,000. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Docket 180-8A-93: Saecial Event - Marathon Footrace - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council permit the running of a Marathon Footrace through Evanston on October 9, 1994, instead of October 10, 1993, as originally proposed. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Docket 181-8A-93: Resolution 86-R-93 - Reserved Parking for Disabled - Consideration of proposed Resolution 86-R-93, by which the City Council would authorize the issuance of a reserved parking permit for the disabled at 1837 Grey Avenue. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. L1 * Docket 182-8A-93: Ordinance 79-0-93 - Licensine Various Tree Maintenance Activities - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 79-0-93, by which the City council would amend Section 7-8-2 of the Code of the City of Evanston to authorize the City manager to license persons engaged in various tree maintenance activities on public property. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. 5 August 9, 1993 ';�()/ * Docket 183-8A-93: Ordinance 94-0-93 - Loading Zone 1225 Elmwood - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 94-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-7, Schedule VH(B), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish a loading zone for Bethany Baptist Church at 1225 Elmwood Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. * Docket 184-8A-93: Ordinance 95-0-93 - No Parkin¢ Zone -1117 Darrow - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 95-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-8, Schedule VIII(A), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish a No Parking Zone at 1117 Darrow Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. * Docket 185-8A-93: Ordinance 96-0-93 - Sales Tax Increase - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 96-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Sections 3-2-5(A) and 3-2-6(A) of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the Sales Tax by one quarter percent. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA. * Docket 168-7B-93: Ordinance 84-0-93 - Prohibitions on the Consumntion of Liouor by Minors - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 84-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend language in Title 3, Chapter 5, Section I1(A) of the Code of the city of Evanston to better highlight and clarify prohibitions on the consumption of liquor by minors. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Docket 169-7B-93: Ordinance 85-0-93 - Loadin¢ Zone at 2601 Central Street - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 85-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-7, Schedule VII(B), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish a loading zone at 2601 Central Street. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Docket 170-7B-93: Ordinance 87-0-93 - 3-Hour Parkins at Lakefront - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 87-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-10, Schedule X, of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish 3-hour parking restrictions on a portion of Sheridan Road adjacent to the Lakefront, and accept a recommendation for a discount plan for new parkers in the Sherman Avenue and Church Street Parking Garages. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. Ll * Docket 171-7B-93: Ordinance 88-0-93 - Definition of Boot -Eligible Vehicle - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 88-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Sections 10-6-14 and 10-6-15 of the Code of the City of Evanston to reduce the number of unpaid parking tickets which would make a vehicle boot -eligible with five or more tickets. Currently, boot - eligible vehicles must have ten or more tickets. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) * Docket 172-7B-93: Ordinance 89-0-93 - Traffic Restrictions - Leland/Lvons, Park Place/ Ewing, and Park Place/Hurd - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 89-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5, Schedules V(C) and V(D), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish 3-Way Stops at Leland Avenue and Lyons Street and Park Place and Hurd Avenue and a 4-Way Stop at Park Place and Ewing. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-01 August 9, 1993 * Docket 173-7B-93: Ordinance 90-0-93 - Appointment of Directors to Solid Waste Aeencv of Northern Cook Countv Board - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 90-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would appoint a Director and Alternate Director to represent the City on the Board of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: * Docket 186-8A-93: Letter of Commitment from the Mayor's Special Housing Fund - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign a Letter of Commitment in the amount of $51,540 in Mayor's Special Housing Funds for the Evanston Housing Coalition's HOME Single -Family Rental Program. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) Docket 174-7B-93: Plat of Subdivision - Howard/Hartrev - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve a Plat of Subdivision for the redevelopment of the Howard/Hartrey site. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (8-0) HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: * Docket 187-8A-93: Annroval of Township Monthly Bills - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve Township bills, payroll, and medical payments in the amount of $136,135.06 for the month of July 1993. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. 8-0 OTHER COMMITTEES: NO REPORT REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES: ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS: Docket 80-3B-93: Ordinance 39-0-93 - Definition of Lowest Bidder - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 39-0-93, introduced on March 22, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 1-17-1 of the Code of the City of Evanston by defining lowest bidder for the purchase of goods and services. A copy of proposed Ordinance 39-0-93 and a descriptive memorandum were transmitted for the March 22, 1993 meeting. At the April 13, 1993 Council meeting, this matter was held over to the next meeting. At the April 26, 1993 meeting, this matter was tabled to the May 24, 1993 meeting. This matter remained tabled at the May 24, 1993 meeting. (Administration & Public Works Committee) (Committee Vote: 5 ayes - 1 nay) No Action Docket 138-6B-93 Ordinance 72-0-93 - Use of Personal Watercraft at Lakefront - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 72-0-93, introduced on June 14, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 7-11-7 of the Code of the City of Evanston to permit launching and operation of personal watercraft on the Lakefront under the same rules and regulations required of power boats and power boat operators. 1 L' 1 7 August 9, 1993 go 6 Aldermn Feldman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 72-0-93, as amended by the Committee to changeSe Hours of Operation in Section 7.(C) to 9:00 A.M.-8:30 P.M. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Roll call. I ting aye on Ordinance 72-0-93, as amended - Aldermen Engelman, Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann and Moran. Motion carried. (8-0) HUM cSERVICES COMMITTEE: Docket 179-7B-93: Ordinance 86-0-93 - Increasine the Number of Members on the Recreation Board - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 86-0-93, introduced on July 26, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 7-9-2 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of members serving on the Playground and Recreation Board from five to nine. Aldermn Feldman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 86-0-93. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Alders[ Heydemann moved to Table Ordinance 86-0-93 for one month. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Aldersat Heydemann explained that because she would not be at the next meeting, she wished it to be held until the mafing after the next one. Alderman Newman raised a Point of Order, saying that a motion to table was not debatift. Alderman Drummer said that he understood Alderman Heydemann to be explaining her reasons for movbgtb table the Ordinance. REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEES: - NO REPORT CITYAkNAGER'S REPORT: - NO REPORT APP( MENTS: MayozMorton introduced the following name for reappointment to the Arts Council: Gwendolyn E. Osborne, 2402 Emerson Street; MayaMbrton introduced the following name for reappointment to the Mental Health Board: Ellen Browne, 1115 Hull Terrace. MaymMorton introduced the following names for appointment: Barbara Baum, 1405 Lincoln Street; Artsltuncil: Nancy Kotler, 624 Central Street; Laurel H. Burrows, 1621 Simpson Street; MentilHealth Board: Ellen Reynolds, 1012 Darrow Avenue; C'ALLOF THE WARDS: Ald-an Newman expressed regret and disappointment that ACORN was closing. He asked for an explanation of v*this became necessary. He wondered why their serious financial problems had not come out during the UniS&Budgeting Process last year. Aldmon Newman announced that the City -School Liaison Committee would meet Thursday, August 19 at 7:30 P.M -at Evanston Township High School. He noted that there had been much discussion about the committee durisgthe recent municipal campaign. He stated that at that meeting he was thinking of proposing a cooperative poliaoor the two school districts and the City on the amount of annual salary increases for employees. He thought it uartr for City employees to get no salary increases, while the two school districts' employees were getting increws. He said that all public sector employees need to share the responsibility equally in the burden of very a o 7 August 9, 1993 high property taxes. He expected that proposal to generate lively debate at the meeting. He requested that any aldermen who had additional suggestions for any type of cooperative policy to bring them to him before the meeting. He felt that there was an expectation in the community that this committee would be a vehicle to bring the high property taxes generated by the two school districts under control. He hoped that the mayor and aldermen would provide ideas that would have an impact in bringing City and school district spending into line and felt that the City needs to present a unified front on this. Mayor Morton noted that two of the Democrats who have announced as candidates for governor have suggested taking school funding off the property tax. She felt that Alderman Newman's comments were right on target and that the suggestion would be a major campaign issue. She also foresaw the committee taking a leadership role in bringing that idea to the community. Alderman Drummer noted that ACORN's announcement of going out of business had been discussed during the Human Services Committee meeting and reported that Director of Health and Human Services Terry had already initiated discussions with other agencies in town, to take up the slack in services when ACORN closes its doors. The committee had also asked Mr. Terry to look at the balance of funding due ACORN from the City, Township and Mental Health Board and see how they can be redirected to agencies that pick up the slack from ACORN. They also asked Mr. Terry to work with the State of Illinois to redirect the funding they provide to ACORN. Alderman Drummer noted that the Community Development Block Grant Committee (CD) had provided funds for the initial purchase and ongoing renovation of the ACORN building and that the Human Services Committee had directed the CD staff and Mr. Terry to see whether money from those grants is due back to the committee. Alderman Drummer called attention to a communication in the packet announcing that a Minority Business Enterprise Coordinator had been hired. He thanked City Manager Anderson and Assistant City Manager Aiello for that. He hoped that as soon as he comes on board, he will begin working with the advisory committee, because the elected officials had done all they could through legislation and now the ball is in the advisory committee's court and they must perform for the community. Alderman Guthrie commended the Recreation Department for putting together the Lake Shore Arts festival and reported that she had enjoyed taking a turn staffing the information booth. Alderman Heydemann congratulated Alderman Feldman for the excellent job he had done chairing the community meeting about Home Depot the previous Wednesday night at Crown Center. She said that it was a very difficult task and that the audience had generated enough questions to keep three staff people busy for three weeks. She felt that the meeting had shown what the community was interested in related to that project. Alderman Heydemann said that, as a past president of Teacher's Council and a continuing member of their negotiating team, she would be opposed to Alderman Newman's suggestion that all salaries be set in concordance. She said that collective bargaining was a time-honored traditional and useful technique for setting salaries. She suggested that if anyone wished to debate teachers' salaries, either publicly or privately, she would be happy to do so at another time. She explained that she moved to table the vote on expanding the Recreation Board because she would not be at the next Council meeting, nor would some other members of the Council. She felt that expanding the board was a very important issue and should be considered seriously. She suggested that it may be appropriate to put this question to a referendum. Alderman Hevdemann made a reference to the Law Denartment to review the leeal opinion written by Corporation Counsel Siecel on February 8. 1985. in which he said that the size of the Recreation Board could only be chanced by the action of the state leeislature or a referendum. She noted that she had not seen the exact bill passed by the lecislature to exnand the board. and asked that the Law Denartment review it to see if it rendered the opinion obsolete. She said that the impetus for the legislation did not come from a great groundswell of community opinion and pointed out that Alderman Newman said that if any member of the Council had appeared to speak against it, it would not have passed. Since there did not seem to be enormous desire on the part of the community to expand the Recreation Board and members of the Recreation Board - including former board member Shel Newberger - strongly opposed its expansion, she felt it merited further research and public comment. E 1 9 August 9, 1993 �O � Mayor Morton said that it was unfortunate that the Recreation Board had been given the charge to comment on whether the board should be expanded, when the decision to expand the board rests with the Council. She felt that it was not appropriate to have citizens voting on something over which they had no control. She was sorry that it may have caused some hard feelings and promised that it would not happen again. Alderman Moran stated that progress of the Research Park has been lagging behind what had been projected, but felt that it was a very good project, the kind of project that is worthy of this community. The partnership between the City and Northwestern University can be beneficial to both parties and the citizens of Evanston. It seemed to him that Mr. lblenfeldt had issued a 'call to arms" to the Council for a renewed determination to carry out the task of making this park a success and to engage with those people who are trying to bring this project forward and to participate in aiding the project. He noted that Alderman Newman had. disputed Mr. Ihlenfeld's contention that a fractious debate by the Council had some responsibility for making economic development difficult and had put a chill on it. He disagreed with Alderman Newman's remarks, made reference to current economic development projects and noted that there had been a number of 5-4 votes related to those issues. He pointed out that there were certain aldermen who consistently voted against economic projects - particularly in relation to the Research Park and the John Buck project. He felt that the City had received a very positive boost from a Chicago Tribune editorial and was dismayed to read a letter to the editor from Alderman Newman some days later taking issue with the editorial. Alderman Newman interrupted and asked to be allowed to respond to Alderman Moran's comments. He said he would be happy to debate Alderman Moran on the points he had raised. Alderman Drummer raised a point of order and stated that Alderman Newman was out of order. Alderman Moran said that he felt Alderman Newman's letter had mocked the efforts the community had made relative to the Research Park and was disturbed by its tone. He pointed out that to carry forward projects successfully there has to be a sense of determination and will by the Council. He hoped that the Council will be able to work more closely together on these projects in the future. Mayor Morton said that the Council Rules do not provide for a debate during Call of the Wards and read Section 2.10 - Call of the Wards - from Council Rules and said that Alderman Moran's remarks did not violate that rule. Alderman Newman said that he did not object to what Alderman Moran said, but objected to the timing of his remarks. He said that he felt that the comments should have come during the Research Park report and objected to personalized statements being made in Call of the Wards and said that he wanted the community to hear his point of view. He suggested that if anyone wanted to comment on someone's views on the issues or their performance, it should be done at such a time when that person can respond. Alderman Holsman thanked the citizens and elected officials, including Mayor Morton, Alderman Moran, Representative Jan Schakowsky, States Attorney O'Malley and City Clerk Davis, who turned out for National Night Out the previous Tuesday. He said that Mr. O'Malley announced his committment to being tough on crime and said that he fully supported him in that endeavor. He also thanked the citizens who had turned out for the meeting about the Home Depot project. He said that there were many good questions and he looked forward to hearing the responses. He asked Council members and City staff for suggestions on how the Howard Street business area might be able to be revitalized. He said that he could not see much difference between Evanston and Chicago and felt that there should be a discernable difference. Alderman Feldman said that while he was pleased with Alderman Moran's encouragement and his acknowledgement that this might be an opportunity for Council and the RPI Board to work together to solve the problems of the Research Park, there were many who had made that suggestion many times over - with a strong desire not to be passive observers, but to be participants in planning, analyzing, marketing and developing the park - especially when the park was not going well. He said that Council members felt they had suggestions to make, but they were not included in the process. He hoped that the Council had the ability to assume the responsibility they appeared to have. He felt that any time anyone suggested a possible alternate course or questioned whether there was trouble, 10 August 9, 1993 it was viewed as being against the park. He said that his voting record showed that he supported almost every Research Park issue and, at one time, had a higher record of acquiescence than Alderman Nelson. He felt that was also true of those who wanted to support the park as well as improve it and should not have been viewed as presenting an unpatriotic suggestion. He said that now that this opportunity presents itself and Mr. Ihlenfeldt has suggested that he wants Council participation. Alderman Feldman said that the meeting at the Robert Crown Center about Home Depot was momentous and he was happy it occurred. He looked forward to the next meeting when the citizens will be presented responses to the questions they had raised. Alderman Feldman made a reference to the Economic Development Committee to consider a series of planning, districts (the boundaries to be determined later) desiened specifically to receive certain funds from the economic developments that are adiacent to their communities for mitigation of the impact of those developments and enhancement of the those communities: and that each district include an advisory committee made up of members of that community to establish priorities and to petition the Citv and Council members. and perhaps the CD Committee to improve the neighborhood. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Guthrie announced that Alderman Kent was getting married on August 15 and offered the Council's congratulations and best wishes to him and his bride. Alderman Drummer moved to adjourn into Closed Session to consider pending litigation and land acquisition. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Roll Call. Voting aye Aldermen Engelman, Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann and Moran. Motion carried. (8-0) The Council so recessed at 10:25 P.M. and adjourned from Closed Session at 11:52 P.M. KIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK E