Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1993-08-23-1993CITY COUNCIEIb 1 August 23, 1993 Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current members are as follows: Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Guthrie Plannine and Develoument Alderman Heydemann Alderman Kent Alderman Newman Alderman Engelman Administration and Public Works Alderman Heydemann Alderman Engelman Alderman Kent Alderman Holsman Alderman Moran Alderman Feldman Human Services Alderman Feldman Alderman Drummer Alderman Moran Alderman Guthrie Alderman Holsman The O1ICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, August 23, 1993, at 8:37 P.M. in the Thy Council Chamber. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Guthrie Alderman Moran A Quorum being present. ABSENT: Aldermen Heydemann, Kent and Engelman PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton An audb tape recording of this meeting has been made part of the permanent record and is available in the City Clerk'soffice. 2 August 23, 1993 MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morton announced there would be a CLOSED SESSION to deal with pending litigation and personnel matters. Mayor Morton noted that she was having difficulty finding people with appropriate qualifications for the Energy Commission. She wondered who had established the qualifications and whether Council would consider modifying them. Alderman Feldman explained that the qualifications were set by the Committee to Reorganize Boards and Commissions, that candidates need only possess one of the qualifications in the list and suggested that the word "or” be inserted between each one of the attributes on the list. First Assistant Corporation Counsel Hill noted that the Energy Commission was established by ordinance and it would require an ordinance to change it. Mayor Morton suggested that amendments would be in order to clarify the language and possibly to reduce the size of the Commission. She asked the Law Department to review the establishing ordinance with that in mind. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Anderson announced that due to the September 6 Labor Day holiday, all refuse, recyclables and yard waste pickup that week will be delayed by one day. Monday pickup will be Tuesday, Tuesday pickup will be Wednesday, and so forth. Labor Day is also a parking holiday. Mr. Anderson noted that at the previous meeting Mr. Sidney Zwick had raised a number of issues concerning some economic development projects and used strong language to describe the Council's actions relative to those projects and he had been requested prepare a response to those comments. He explained that the issues raised by Mr. Zwick had been debated at length by the Council before the decisions were made. While Mr. Zwick may disagree with those decisions, as is his prerogative, to describe the Council as being on a "slippery slope" of some form of morality is a misrepresentation of the facts and not at all accurate. Mr. Zwick suggested that there had been manipulation of the boundaries for the Research Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) area. Mr. Anderson explained that the boundaries of what is now the Research Park TIF originally were proposed to be much larger and to were include the area of the Downtown II Redevelopment project, which was proposed in the late 1970's. The 1800 Sherman Building was to be the first building developed as part of that project. When the Research Park TIF boundaries were drawn in 1984, they were refined to include only the 1800 Sherman property from the original Downtown II proposal. The decision to include the 1800 Sherman property was made as part of a required process and discussed in public forums. Mr. Zwick also raised the issue of vacation of Pitner Avenue (the Sam's Warehouse vacation) which he had raised a number of times before. A legal opinion regarding this issue was prepared several months ago, reviewed again and found the vacation to have been done legally, appropriately and in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. There was nothing incorrect or secret about it. With respect to the Home Depot Cross Impact Study, Mr. Zwick suggested that there some impropriety in sharing the draft of the requirements that would be made of the consultant who would prepare that study, with the Home Depot people. In fact those requirements are being shared very widely - with the Economic Development Committee, people who oppose the project, people who are proposing the project and with anyone who has any interest in the project. The process is intended to be as open and as broad as possible and is intended to be one in which everyone has an opportunity to comment. He did not believe such a process could be construed as locating Council on a "slippery slope," but felt it to be an appropriate step for Council to take when they are dealing with a very controversial project. Council will ultimately want to have as much information as it possible before it takes any actions on the project. Mr. Anderson emphasized that his review showed that the Council acted openly and followed both the appropriate legal process and fulfilled their moral obligation to be straightforward with the citizens. In response to several questions from Alderman Newman, City Manager Anderson confirmed that in 1984, the 1800 Sherman property generated approximately $20,000 in property tax and is now generating approximately $950,000; that the building was built by a previous developer, Carley Company; and that if the property tax was not earmarked for the TIF, it would go to the various taxing bodies in town. Mr. Anderson pointed out that the questions raised by Alderman Newman were all contemplated at the time the TIF was created. When the TIF boundaries were created, it was anticipated that the property inside those boundaries would increase in value and that the increased value would be used to offset the expenses of the TIF. Alderman Newman reported that he had recently listened to the six -hour 1 L. 1 August 23, 1993 1 11 tape of6e Public Hearing related to the establishment of the Research Park TIF and noted that there had been little discusfxm of the possible impact of the proposed 1800 Sherman Building. He also noted that no one had anticipated the phemmenal growth in the amount of taxes on that property. Alderman Newman agreed with City Manager that the decrsDn was properly made and there had been ample opportunity for public comment. CONUMMCATIONS: City Chxk Davis reported that she had received a communication from the North West Municipal Conference annount-mg a dinner and board meeting for member communities with their state legislators on Wednesday, Septenber 8, at 7:00 P.M., at the Schaumburg Marriott. The legislators will update the communities on the Spring legislature session and will highlight items to be considered in the Fall session. She asked any interested alderman to let her know so she could make reservations by September 1. City Clerk Davis said that Mayor Morton had asked her to share a communication from School Board Members Elizabd1i, Tisdahl and Sandra Hill. The letter thanked Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Wirth and Recreafen Supervisor Grodsky for donating 50 beach tokens to the Mothers Against Gangs "Drop -In Night." She read thefollowing exerpt from the letter: "Although the majority of the students did not receive tokens, the surprise and excitement generated by your generous gift was contagious. Everyone was impressed." It did make 50 teenagas very, very happy. Ms. Doris also called the aldermen's attention to the brochure about the annual National League of Cities Conferutce in December. She said that the deadline to register was September 20, reminded them to have their travel xquest into the Rules Committee by the September 7th meeting and said that she would be happy to handle their registration. CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk*) Aldemn Drummer moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll call. Votingaye - Aldermen Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie and Moran. Voting nay - none. Motion carried (6-0) •NIIlN11TES: The miautes of the regular meeting of August 9, 1993, as submitted in writing to the members of the City Council. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) ADMVISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: BILLS AND PAYROLL * Appoval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending August 21, 1993; for City of Evanston payroll for the period ending August 8, 1993; and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accouds, summarized as follows: City of Evanston bills $ 5,111,195.23 City of Evanston payroll $ 1,294,835.67 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) �1� ;-I3 4 August 23, 1993 PURCHASES: * Approval of the low bid from Chicago Spotlight for Noyes Center Theatre Lighting System at a total cost of $7,740.00 BID SUMMARY: Bidder: Chicago Spotlight Chicago, IL Designlab Chicago Chicago, IL Grand Stage Co. Chicgo, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT Total Cost $ 7,740.00 8,985.00 11,540.00 AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Approval of the proposal from North Shore Uniform for the City's annual requirement for Work Clothing for AFSCME Employees and Supervisors at a total estimated cost for the year of $18,720.25. (Non -Bid Item, Requires a 2/3 Majority Vote) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Approval of Change Order #8 for the Transportation Center project in the amount of $5,129.26 to Blinderman Construction Company. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 188-8B-93: Soecial Event - YMCA Footrace - Consideration of a request from the Young Men's Christian Association for permission to hold their 13th Annual YMCA Footrace ("The Evanston Express") on Sunday, September 19, 1993 on various City Streets. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 189-8B-93: So_ ecial Event - Street Partv on Benson Avenue - Consideration of a request from Merle's #1 Barbecue to hold a Street Party on Benson Avenue between Clark Street and University Place on September 25, 1993. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) Alderman Drummer noted that approval for this event was contingent on receiving some additional information. * Docket 190-SB-93: Resolution 87-R-93 - Reserved Parkine for Disabled - 744 Dobson Street - Consideration of proposed Resolution 87-R-93, by which the City Council would establish a reserved parking space for the disabled at 744 Dobson Street. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 191-8B-93: Resolution 88-R-93 - Reserved Parkine for Disabled - 510 Lee Street - Consideration of proposed Resolution 88-R-93, by which the City Council would establish a reserved parking space for the disabled at 510 Lee Street. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) Docket 192-8B-93: Resolution 89-R-93 - Allocation of General Oblieation Bond Refinancine Funds to Capital Improvement Program - Consideration of proposed Resolution 89-R-93, by which the City Council would approve the allocation of approximately $730,000 in new revenue received as a result of the 1993 Bond Refinancing for capital projects. HELD IN COMMITTEE August 23, 1993 / * Docket 193-8B-93: Ordinance 92-0-93 - Class C Liauor License - TRIO Restaurant - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 92-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to allow for the issuance of a Class C Liquor License to TRIO Restaurant, 1625 Hinman Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 194-8B-93: Ordinance 97-0-93 - Class B Liauor License - The Kee - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 97-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to allow for the issuance of a Class B Liquor License to The Keg Restaurant, 810 Grove Street. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 195-8B-93: Ordinance 98-0-93 - Exnansion of Parkine District #9 - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 98-0-93, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-18, Schedule XVIII(I), of the Code of the City of Evanston to expand Parking District #9 to include the 600 block of South Boulevard and the 600 block of Callan Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 182-8A-93: Ordinance 79-0-93 - Licensine Various Tree Maintenance Activities - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 79-0-93, introduced on August 9, 1993, 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. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 183-8A-93: Ordinance 94-0-93 - Loadine Zone 1225 Elmwood - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 94-0-93, introduced on August 9, 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 for Bethany Baptist Church at 1225 Elmwood Avenue. * ADOPTED -CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) * Docket 184-8A-93: Ordinance 95-0-93 - No Parkine Zone -1117 Darrow - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 95-0-93, introduced on August 9, 1993, 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. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (6-0) REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES: ADNMSTRATION 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 C7 August 23, 1993 Docket 185-8A-93: Ordinance 96-0-93 - Sales Tax Increase - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 96-0-93, introduced on August 9, 1993, 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. Alderman Drummer moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 96-0-93. Alderman Newman moved to delete this docket item from the agenda. Alderman Moran seconded Alderman Drummer's motion and asked that this docket item be held until the next meeting. After a brief discussion, Alderman Newman withdrew his motion so the item could be held until the next meeting to allow the absent aldermen the opportunity to vote on it. He observed that in the future it would not always be possible to hold an item over to allow everyone the opportunity to vote. He noted that the Agenda shows this ordinance as being sent from Committee to Council with an 8-0 vote. He thought that the motion he voted on in Committee was to send the ordinance to Council without a recommendation. He stated that he does not support a sales tax increase and did not vote for it in Committee. Alderman Moran reiterated his second to Alderman Drummer's motion and moved to hold the Ordinance until the next meeting. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. At the request of two aldermen. this docket item will be held until the September 13th meeting. Alderman Feldman noted that he, too, had not voted in favor of the tax increase, but had only voted to send the ordinance to Council with no recommendation and wished the Administration and Public Works Committee minutes to reflect that. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: Alderman Feldman reported that the Human Services Committee had met with the Arts Council and received a report on their activities. They also discussed an Arts Council request to increase the number of booths at the Ethnic Arts Festival. That request was held over in committee to allow the lakefront aldermen to hold a community meeting with neighbors and Arts Council members. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: OTHER COMMITTEES: Docket 196-8B-93: Cross-Imoact Studv of Rust-Oleum Site - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to seek at least five proposals from consultants to conduct a Cross -Impact Study regarding the redevelopment of the Rust-Oleum site by Home Depot. Alderman Drummer moved Council approval of the recommendation. The motion failed for lack of a second. Docket 197-8B-93: Parkine on Green Bav Road from Lincoln to Isabella - Consideration of a recomendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to direct the City's Lobbyist to seek a waiver from the Illinois Department of Transportation or other appropriate agency to allow for parking on Green Bay Road between Lincoln and Isabella Streets. The City Manager is further directed to have the appropriate City staff review the safety concerns regarding the placement of parking on Green Bay Road and to recommend alternatives to address the issue. Alderman Drummer moved Council approval of the recommendation. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Alderman Moran expressed concern about moving full speed ahead on the waiver before the saftey issue of the parking spaces had not been resolved. Alderman Feldman said that a two -pronged approach was being employed regarding this issue and that the City would not proceed with the parking spaces, even if the waiver is granted, until the safety issue was resolved. Also, if the waiver is not granted, the parking spaces will not be created. August 23, 1993 �/6 Alderman Newman noted that the merchants had come to the Economic Development Committee a year ago to asked that parking be restored on Green Bay Road. At that time he had asked that the City's lobbyist, Mr. Suffredin, contact the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to obtain a waiver for the parking spaces. He suggested that the elected officials should also have been involved in that effort. If the City proceeds with the safety study without pursuing the waiver, it will further delay establishing those parking spaces, since to do so requires an ordinance. If the waiver is granted and the safety issues are not yet resolved to Council's satisfaction, the aldermen could reject the ordinance. The waiver should be pursued now because if we can't get it, the City would not want to repay the state funds granted for the repaving of Green Bay and so would not construct the parking spaces. That would also eliminante the need to further investigate the safety concerns. He suggested that every effort be made to obtain the waiver and pointed out that any street parking in a business district could be a safety concern, but it is allowed because the City wants cars to come into a business district to park and bring more people to purchase things and contribute sales taxes to the City. That way the City has more revenue and doesn't have to raise property taxes. It's a balance that is made. He noted that Council has the ability to vote no on any ordinance to establish the parking spaces. Vote on the motion - motion carried. REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEES: REPORT OF COMMONWEALTH EDISON NEGOTIATING TEAM: Alderman Feldman reported that he, Aldermen Heydeman, Engelman, Moran and City Manager Anderson had been negotiating with Don Petkus Vice President of Commonwealth Edison and Eunice Collins, Public Affairs Director for the last several months. He reviewed the history of negotiations and noted that the Negotiating Team found a different atmosphere this time than they had previously. He said that Commonwealth Edison and the Negotiating . Team had reached agreement and recommended that a public hearing be held on August 30 on the proposed franchise and that it be introduced at the September 13 meeting and approved September 27. Alderman Feldman reported that agreement had been reached on the following additional proposals: - The franchise will be extending for a period of seven years, until March, 1999, instead of the previous six. - The period during which the City may opt out of the Northwest Municipal Converence (NWMC) Franchise Agreement has been increased from 75 to 180 days. - Commonwealth Edison has agreed to make information available about their system. Information on substations will be provided in map form and staff will be allowed to review system blueprints in Commonweath Edison offices. - The City and Commonwealth Edison have agreed to "zero out" their mutual claims against each other (for franchise fees on the City's part and for electrical service on Com Ed's part) for the entire period since March 5, 1992, when the previous franchise expired. Alderman Feldman explained that the context of their considerations had changed since the Illinois Supreme Court had granted a petition for rehearing on the Arlington Heights case. He suggested that the City's ability to require a franchise in the future might be in jeopardy, as well as its right to require a franchise fee. Without the revenue stream from the franchise fees, the City would not have the money to conduct its investigation of municipalization. Alderman Feldman moved to hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Franchise Agreement on Monday, August 30, at 8:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, Seconded Alderman Drummer. Motion carried. No nays. Mayor Morton thanked Alderman Feldman for his report and commended Aldermen Heydemann, Engelman, Moran and City Manager Anderson, along with Alderman Feldman, for their participation on the Negotiating Team. She was pleased that they were able to reach a resolution with Commonwealth Edison. She also commended Commonwealth Edison for being able to see what the City was trying to do and cooperated in reaching a resolution on this. �jj 8 August 23, 1993 Alderman Newman noted that this is a temporary agreement that will be reviewed by the Council in six years. He felt that the real challenge for Council is to deal with issues still on the table, such as the outages that continue to occur in Evanston. He said that agreeing to this proposal does not mean the City is totally happy with the service provided to us, but extends the time it has to study other alternatives for electric service. He wanted people to know that the Coucil would continue to work to make sure that Commonwealth Edison provides the type of service for which citizens are paying. Mayor Morton noted that the previous week while she was in the Civic Center, a contractor working on the street cut an electric cable that left the building without air conditioning (lights operated on emergency power.) She wondered if there was a way to require a contractor who causes an outage to compensate the people affected. It was her understanding that contractors are required to identify where all underground utilites are before proceeding on any project. Such outages occur all too frequently and the citizens don't always realize the reason for them. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: - NO REPORT APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked for Council confirmation of Gwendolyn E. Osborne, 2402 Emerson Street for reappointment and confirmation of the appointments of Barbara Baum, 1405 Lincoln Street, Nancy Kotler, 624 Central Street and Laurel H. Burrows, 1621 Simpson Street to the Arts Council for terms ending August 30, 1996; the reappointment of Ellen Browne, 1115 Hull Terrace and appointment of Ellen Reynolds, 1012 Darrow Avenue to the Mental Health Board for terms ending August 30, 1997. Alderman Drummer moved Council approval of these appointments. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Motion carried. No nays. Mayor Morton introduced the names of Murdell Winston, 2828 Lincoln Street, for appointment to the Arts Council; Paul D. Fields, 1005 Hinman Avenue, for appointment to the Civil Service Commission; and Michael de Vaul, 2009 Washington Street, for appointment to the Housing and Community Development Act Committee. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Morton announced that she had issued the following proclamations: - Proclaiming September Traffic Safety Month; - Proclaiming August 22-28 as Evanston Crafts Week CALL OF THE WARDS: Alderman Drummer expressed disappointment that he did not receive a second for his motion to approve the recommendation for the Cross Impact Study. He said that he had not been at the Economic Development Committee meeting where it was approved, but noted that it had received a 4-0 vote, with one absention, so was surprised it did not receive a second. He felt the study had some value and had been promised to the retailers. He requested that Mayor Morton explore with Northwestern University the possibility that they conduct the Cross Impact Study as a donation. He said that he understood the concerns of the building materials business owners and pointed out that this was an important matter to them. He felt that the Council had not done justice to them and reminded the aldermen that they had promised this study to those retailers. Mayor Morton said that she would take his request under consideration and took his remarks as a plea to the other Council members to reconsider their non -action on the Cross Impact Study. Alderman Holsman apologized for not being able to attend the Brummel Park picnic and mural painting the previous day. He said that he had been by the park that morning to see the mural and reported that it was fantastic. He urged everyone to go out and see it. He felt that it reflected the diversity and commitment of the residents in the area to their neighborhood. Alderman Holsman thanked Foot Patrol Officer Kim Grossman and Acting Chief Kaminski for their continued service in the Eighth Ward during these "dog days" and applauded them for their good work. 9 August 23, 1993 a/ � Mayor Morton reported that she had attended the event in Brummel Park and thought they were doing a magnificent job. She felt that a very nice, warm "neighborhood thing" was happening there that will benefit the children and other citizens who live there. Alderman Feldman urged Mayor Morton to move quickly to change the rules regarding the appointments to the Energy Commission and suggested that she publicize her need for members in the Evanston Review as she had done previously with other boards and commissions. He said that the City has a long way to go and much work needs to be done to prepare the Council and the community to make a decision on the future of our energy policy in six years. He noted that the Energy Commission will take a lead role on this and the sooner it is at full strength, the better, because the Council is prepared to fund their work - but can't fund a non-existent commission. He was sure that the Council would be happy to consider a reduction in the size of the commission. Alderman Feldman congratulated St. Francis Hospital for opening their new day care center and said that he was pleased to attend its dedication last week. He reported that it was a delightful facility on the hospital grounds. He explained that it had come about as part of a plan for major additions to the hospital facility that will take 8-10 years to complete and will impose significantly on the surrounding neighborhood. He felt that St. Francis Hospital had learned a valuable lesson a number years ago in community relations when dealing with an issue that raised widespread community opposition. Since then, relations between the hospital, the community and the City Council have been excellent. He felt that the hospital had a model relationship with a community board that they created and meet with and respond to regularly. The hospital also brings all the issues that will affect the neighborhood to that board, as well as any problems they encounter - such as with parking. The child care center was conceived as a way to compensate the neighborhood for going through a ten year construction ordeal and the hospital has set aside a certain number of Title XX spaces and spaces for neighborhood children in this sorely -needed center. He felt that this day care center represents the best of institutions, government and community working together. He urged everyone to go and see it and said they were taking children from six months to five years. He urged people who need day care to contact the Community Relations Department of the hospital. Mayor Morton thanked Alderman Feldman for his report and said she was pleased to hear that this new center had opened up because many people in the community are in need of day care. Alderman Newman reported that he had been part of a group opposing the helipad proposed by St. Francis Hospital and had participated in a number of well -attended meetings on that subject in the Council Chamber. He pointed out that the hospital took a negative and turned it into a positive by taking the leaders of the anti-helipad group and putting them on the community relations board. He commended the hospital for that approach and said that there were other institutions in the City that could take lessons from this in how to deal with the community. He said that it was really a model and was pleased to hear that the community relations committee had made such great progress. Alderman Newman reported that the City -School Liaison Committee had held its second meeting the previous Thursday and was scheduled to meet again on October 13 or 14 - or sometime in early October . He noted that this was more meetings that had been held previously in a Council term and pointed out how difficult it was to get members of three public bodies and their staffs together. He reported that Evanston Township High School had applied for a state grant to expand their health services, which the City will cooperate on. He noted that a parking question had been raised during the meeting that was referred to the Parking Committee. He reported that most of the time had been spent discussing his reference on salaries and said that there had to be good interaction on this, since all the taxing bodies did not seem to see the property tax question in the same way. He suggested that District 65 judged citizens' interest in the property tax by the attendance at their budget meetings. He said that property tax was a critical issue to business and residents and we need to educate them on that. He reported that each of the representatives had agreed to go back to their boards to see if any agreement could be reached on a joint budget policy. The idea of having a conference on the budget, which would include representatives from the business community, government, other taxing bodies in the city and aldermen and citizens had received some discussion. He felt that idea had received more support than the idea of a joint budget policy. He said that some agreement had been reached about taking minutes of the meeting (which would be done by the hosting entity) and would certainly be done when the City hosts. He noted that he had invited the mayor to the next meeting and invited anyone else who was interested to attend. Alderman Newman made reference to the discussion in the Evanston Review concerning panhandling. He pointed out that there was a tremendous outpouring of concern by the community which indicated that they wanted some type of action on this issue. He said he had received a report from Terry Jenkins, Executive Director of Evmark, which contained the observations made by the "greeters" who had been hired as part of the summer hospitality Iq 10 August 23, 1993 program in downtown Evanston. He found some of their findings to be interesting and said that the report showed that the bicycle circles seem to be working to encourage bicyclists to keep off the sidewalks or to walk their bikes on them; panhandling remains a consistent nuisance; and that additional foot patrol officers are needed in the downtown area. He felt that this report demonstrated that panhandling in the downtown area is a problem and it is up to the City to deal with it. He asked that the ordinance he proposed to deal with panhandling near cash machines be considered or that other proposals be brought to the table. He did not feel what the Chamber had done recently to deal with panhandling was enough. Alderman Newman said that he wanted to discuss the implications of rejecting the Cross Impact Study. What he wanted to see happen with the Home Depot proposal was to have the concerns raised by the community about impact of putting the project on the Rust-Oleum site addressed and solutions considered that might help alleviate its impact. If those solutions can't be found then perhaps the City should look again at whether it ought to be supporting this project. He asked that it happen in a timely fashion, so the Home Depot people would know where they stand. He asked when the project would be coming to the Council for a vote. Assistant City Manager Aiello said that the original timetable had the Cross Impact Study information coming back to the Economic Development Committee around November 4. That timetable will now have to be reworked. The issues raised by the neighbors was the subject of a neighborhood meeting and the responses will be brought to the community at a meeting scheduled for September 14. If more issues are raised at the meeting, staff will continue to respond. The TIF process is underway right now and the various studies required for the TIF are being conducted. She promised to provide additional information and a revised timetable. Alderman Feldman moved that Council recess into Closed Session to consider pending litigation and personnel matters. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Roll call - voting aye, Aldermen Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummmer, Guthrie and Moran. Motion carried. (6-0) The Council so recessed at 9:57 P.M. and adjourned from Closed Session at 11:34 P.M. KIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK 1