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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1994-11-07-19941 COUNCIL. November 7, 1"4 Of EV'�`rl� V 0� CO Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current.. are as follows: Administration and Public Works Alderman Newman Alderman Heydemann Alderman Engelman Alderman Drummer Alderman Beat Alderman Holsman Alderman Guthrie Alderman Moran Alderman Feldman Planning and Development Alderman Newman Alderman Engelman Alderman Heydemann Alderman Bent Human Services Alderman Guthrie Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Alderman Moran Alderman Drummer The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was called to order on Monday, November 7, 1994, at 9:35 P.M. in the City Council Chamber. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Guthrie A Quorum being present. ABSENT: None TARDY: None PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Alderman Heydemann Alderman Bent Alderman Moran Alderman Engelman Alderman Holsman A video tape recording of this meeting has been made part of the permanent record and is available in the City Clerk's office. 2 November 7, 1994 MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morton announced there would be an CLOSED SESSION to deal with pending litigation and land disposition. l.ii�.i COIVIlVIENT: Brothella Ouick, 606D South Boulevard, applicant for 1817 Church Street property, described her background to Council and explained how she planned to use the building for her program helping adolescents from dysfunctional families who have the will to succeed. She has a list of over 200 partial contributors who wish to donate to the program and noted that she would not come back to the City for additional dollars. She conceded that selling it to her for $1 did not seem like a very attractive offer, but felt that her proposal addressed a need that is important to the City's future. Hollv Lowell -Bellew. 2658 Prairie Avenue, reminded everyone of the Evanston Neighborhood Conference Forum on Public Safety, scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00-9:00 P.M. in the Community Room of the Evanston Public Library. Mary Spaeth. 1214 Lake Shore Boulevard, Coordinator of Public Relations for Research Park Incorporated, said that she understood that the Preservation Ordinance Text Amendment had been held up in the Planning and Development Committee for further discussion. She explained that normally this would not be a problem, but the ordinance was proposed to allow a continuation of due process. She noted that an already -publicized public hearing has been set for November 14, when Council would begin consideration of an application for a Certificate of Special Merit, which is the second step in the appeals process for a demolition permit for the Commonwealth Edison substation in the Research Park. She pointed out that the application can only be considered if the text amendment is approved and urged Council to introduce and adopt the amendment this evening. COMMUNICATIONS: City Clerk Davis noted that the next day was election day and polls would be open from 6:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. She urged everyone to vote. CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Drummer moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda with the following exceptions: Docket 243- 11A-94: Resolution 70-R-94 - Township Assessor Signatories; Docket 244-11A-94: Plat of Resubdivision - 1246 Hinman Avenue; Docket 246-11A-94: Ordinance 126-0-94 - Text Amendment to Preservation Ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll call. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Engelman, Holsman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0) * Approval of Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 24, 1994. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) ADMUOSPRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMM[TTEE: BILLS AND PAYROLL * Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending November 8, 1994; for City of Evanston payroll for the period ending October 30, 1994; for City Council payroll for the month of October 1994; and that they be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized on following page: 3 November 7, 1994 / City of Evanston bills $ 2,382,456.35 City of Evanston payroll $ 1,244,971.58 City Council payroll $ 4,875.03 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 PURCHASESL * Approval of the low bid from Hanson Roofing for Noyes Center Roof Repairs at a total estimated cost of $121,415. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Base Bid Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3 Alt.4 Hanson $59,750 $31,290 $6,875 $23,5W $60,230 Roofing, Evanston, II. All American $95,195 $36,145 $11,703 $24,092 $61,441 Roofing L. Marshall, $102,750 $36,425 $11,150 $20,975 $99,850 Inc. Glenview, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the bid from M.E. Simpson Co., for the Water Distribution System Valve Exercising Contract at a total cost of $16,967. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost IM. E. Simpson Co. $16,967 Valparaiso, IN * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the proposal from Best Buy Tile for Rubber Tile Flooring for Robert Crown Center at a total cost of $16,000. (Non -Bid Item, Requires a 2/3 Majority Vote) * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the low bid from Consolidated Concrete Co., for Aluminum Sulfate Storage Tank Repairs for the Water Plant at a total cost of $48,750. (Bid Summary on following page) I 1 4 Noveambei 7, 1994 BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Consolidated Concrete Co. $48,750 Crystal Lake, II. Oak Park Chimney Corp. $55,950 Oak Park, II, National Power Rodding Corp. $114,000 Chicago, II, * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of the low bid from Artley Paving Co., for removal of the Divider on Main Street at a cost of $17,500. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Docket 233-11A-94: Resolution 64-R-94 - Tax Abatement of Series 1992 Corporate Purpose Bonds - Consideration of proposed Resolution 64-R-94, by which the City Council would abate $3,404,619.30 of the 1994 total tax levy of $3,953,341.24. Funds for the abatement are derived from incremental tax revenues of $722,500 in the Downtown II project, $2,020,982.50 from Sewer Fund revenues, $224,400 from revenues in the Emergency Telephone Fund, $419,940 derived from General Fund revenues dedicated to the cost of the Recycling Center and the roll -out carts, and $16,796.80 from Debt Service Fund investment income. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL l9-01 * Docket 234-11A-94: Resolution 65-R-94 - Tax Abatement of Series 1993. Corporate Purpose Bonds - Consideration of proposed Resolution 65-R-94, by which the City Council would abate $1,255,413.76 of the 1994 total tax levy of $3,666,733.75. Funds for the abatement are derived from incremental tax revenues of $217,810 in the Downtown II project, $149,900 from Sewer Fund revenues, $194, 833.76 from real estate transfer taxes allocated to the Southwest TIF District I Debt Service Fund, and $629,870 from the Parking Fund. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Docket 235-11A-94: Resolution 66-R-94 - Tax Abatement of Series 1994 Corporate Purpose Bonds - Consideration of proposed Resolution 66-R-94, by which the City Council would abate $1,953,601.45 of the 1994 total tax levy of $2,815,419.17. Funds for the abatement are derived from capitalized interest in the amount of $90,675.36 from the Southwest TIF District II (Howard/Hartrey) Debt Service Fund, $376,895.14 from revenues in the Fleet Services Fund, $1,429,182.71 from Sewer Fund revenues, and $56,858.33 to be derived from private special assessments for alley projects. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) I G/ S November 7, 1994 ' - / * Docket 236-IIA-94: Resolution 67-R-94 - Tax Abatement of Series 1994 Taxable Corporate Punxwe Bonds - Consideration of proposed Resolution 67 R- 94, by which the City Council would abate the total 1994 property tax levy of $221,589.39. The fimds for this abatement are derived from capitalized interest available in the Southwest TIF District Il (Howard/Hartrey) Debt Service Fund. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Docket 226-10B-%: Ordinance 117-0-94 - Sale of 1917 Church Street - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 117-0-94, by which the City Council would authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for the sale of 1817 Church Street. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA Alderman Holsman moved to Suspend the Rules in order to adopt the ordinance the same night it is introduced. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Holsman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 117-0-94, introduced this evening. Seconded by Alderman Kent. Roll call. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemaan, Kent, Moran, Engelman, Holsman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0) * Docket 237-11A-94: Ordinance 121-0-94 - Decrease in Class C Liauor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 121-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to decrease the number of Class C Liquor Licenses in effect by one due to the change in ownership of Las Magueyes Restaurant, 750 Chicago Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 238-11A-94: Ordinance 125-0-94 - Increase in Class C Liquor licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 125-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of Class C Liquor Licenses in effect by one to allow for the issuance of a license to Amigos Hermanos, Inc., dba Salsa Borracha, 750 Chicago Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 239-11A-94: Ordinance 122-0-94 - Increase in Class D Liauor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 122-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of Class D Liquor Licenses in effect by one to allow for the issuance of a license to Noodle Garden, 1239 Chicago Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 240-11A-94: Ordinance 123-0-94 - Decrease in Class D Liauor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 123-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to decrease the number of Class D Liquor Licenses in effect by one due to the change in ownership of Wild Asparagus, 1709 Benson Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA * Docket 241-11A-94: Ordinance 124-0-94 - Increase in Class D Liquor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 124-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of Class D Liquor Licenses by one to allow for the issuance of a License to Wild Asparagus, 1709 Benson Avenue. * MARKED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA 6 Nov embe 1,199 4 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: * Docket 242-11A-94: Townshia Bills - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve the Township bills, medical payments, and payroll for the month of October 1994 in the amount of $117,374. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) Docket 243-IIA-94: Resolution 70-R-94 - Township Assessor Signatories Consideration of proposed Resolution 70-RA4, by which the City Council, acting as Trustees of the Town of the City of Evanston, would authorize signatories for the financial accounts of the Township Assessor. This docket item was held in committee in order to obtain a legal opinion. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMNIIITM: Docket 244-11A-94: Plat of Resubdivision - 1246 Hinman Avenue - Consideration of a request that the City Council approve a Plat of Resubdivision for Bonnie Wilson and Russell Ruth at 1246 Hinman Avenue. The Plat of Resubdivision is in proper foam, and final approval is .. ;, � � . � L , . -;: �.ded. This docket item was held in committee. * Docket 245-I IA-94: Loan Agreement for Mumm's Printing - Consideration of a ., .......elation that the City Council authorize the restructuring of the Loan Agreement for Mumm's Printing. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) Docket 246-11A-94: Ordinance 126-0-94 - Text Amendment to Preservation Ordinance - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 126-0-94, by which the City Council would amend Section 2-9-2 of the Preservation Ordinance by adding the definition of 'Development Plan,' and Section 2-9-11 by adding text to Paragraphs (H)(2) and (J). This docket item was held in committee. * Docket 231-1OB-94: Ordinance 116-0-94 - Designation of 2319 Sherman as Evanston Landmark - Consideration of a proposed Ordinance 116-0-94, introduced on October 24, 1994, by which the City Council, in accordance with the Preservation Commission's recommendation, would designate 2319 Sherman Avenue as an Evanston Landmark. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS: Docket 159-7B-94: Ordinance 76-0-94 - Expansion of Residents Only Parking District #7 - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 76-0-94, introduced on July 25, 1994, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-18, Schedule XVIII, of the Code of the City of Evanston to add portions of Central Street, Stewart Avenue, Pioneer Road, and Harrison Street to Residents Only Parking District 97. Tabled. 0 7 November , 1994 1 Alderman Holsman moved to remove this docket item from the table. Seconded by Alderman Drummer: Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Holsman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 76-0-94, as revised. Seconded by Alder Drummer. Roll call. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Kent, Monet, Engelman, Holsman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0q * Docket 228-10B-94: Ordinance 119- )-94 - Increase in Class 0 liquor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 11940-94, introduced on October 24, 1994, by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of Class O Liquor Licenses in effect in order to issue a License to Osco Drugs #218, 1128 Chicago Avenue. Alderman Holsman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 119-0-94. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Engelman, Holsman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0) * Docket 229-1OB-94: Ordinance 120-0-94 - Increase in Class N Liquor Licenses - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 120-0-94, introduced on October 24, 1994 by which the City Council would amend Section 3-5-6 of the Code of the City of Evanston to increase the number of Class N Liquor Licenses in effect in order to issue a license to Osco Drugs 1162, 2491 Howard Street. Alderman Holsman moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 120-0-94. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Roll call. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Kent, Moran, Engelman, Holsman. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COAUWrITEE: On behalf of the committee, Alderman Engelman apologized to the members of the Administration and Public Works Committee for the meeting running over for the second time in a row. He noted that a number of people wished to address the committee. He reported that they also spent a great deal of time considering sidewalk signs and their impact on those who are physically challenged. The committee hopes to determine whether to recommend a ordinance regarding sidewalk signs at their next meeting. Alderman Engelman reported that the committee did not recommend passage of a Plat of Subdivision at 1246 Hinman because the required written report from the Preservation Commission was not transmitted to the committee. The report was requested this evening and will be available at the next meeting. He invited anyone interested in this plat to attend the Planning & Development Committee meeting on November 21. Alderman Engelman also reported that the committee was unable to report out the Text Amendment to the Preservation Ordinance because it had failed to get a majority vote in committee. Both a recommendation to report the docket item out with approval and without approval were defeated by a 2-2 vote. He noted that the issue of whether this was special legislation had been raised in committee. He reminded Council that the Planning and Development Committee will hold a public hearing on November 14th, as a quasi-judicial body, under authority granted by the Preservation Ordinance. The hearing will be on the application for a Certificate of Special Merit and will be held in Council Chambers. He urged all alderman to attend the hearing, since they all will be required to vote on it. He noted that the hearing will be held without clear standards to judge against, since the text amendment will not have been adopted. He commented that it is a due process nightmare. Alderman Newman requested a legal opinion on how many members of Council are required to vote for the amendment to pass. He believed that it was six. 8- November7, 1994 MLSCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: APPOINTMENTS - Mayor Morton introduced the following name to serve on the Library Board: Archibald T. Bryant 1519 Hinmsn Avenue MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Morton reported that she had attended the Mayors' Institute On City Design: Midwest the weekend before last in St. Louis. She found it to be a valuable experience and thought that she had come away with a number of interesting suggestions and ideas. Since the Howard Street corridor was the subject of Evanston's submission, she promised to share her notes with Alderman Holsman. She reported that one of the suggestions was to include the community in the planning and noted that Alderman Holsman is already involved with the community. Speakers included Cynthia Weese, Dean of Washington University School of Architecture; John Had, Director of the Mayors' Institute on City Design: Midwest; Alex Krieger, a teacher at Harvard School of Design, who also owns his own firm; Genevieve Ray, who spoke on what is urban design-, lain Fraser, who spoke an architecture in the public realm; Joseph Passonneau, who was very familiar with Evanston and spoke on transportation and urban design; Richard Ward, from St. Louis, who spoke on economic development and city design; Brenda Scheer, who spoke about the form of cities; and Iris Miller, who spoke about landscape and the city. Mayor Morton said that she was very grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts for sponsoring this, since it did not cost the City anything. ' Mayor Morton announced that she had appointed an ad hoc committee to review all the ordinances governing the boards, committees and commission on which citizens sit for the purpose of making any . ..dations that need to be made. She said that the City Clerk will serve as advisor to the committee. Mayor Morton asked the City Manager to study whether it was feasible to create an Evanston Housing Authority. CALL OF THE WARDS: Alderman Feldman made a reference to the Recreation Board to consider the feasibility and efficacy of building a recreation center in Elks Park. Seconded by Alderman Holsman. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Newman suggested that the City Manager consult with the Housing Commission before considering an Evanston Housing Authority. City Manager Anderson said that it was his intention to do so. Alderman Newman congratulated Township Supervisor Betty Payne and her staff for reducing township rolls to 122: He noted that it was a tremendous savings for the city to have so few people getting general assistance. Alderman Newman complained that he had not received the Economic Development Packet containing the names of all the applicants to the Research Park, Inc. Board, even though he had requested it from the mayor. He felt that it was a waste of time for him to have to go over to another alderman's house, borrow his packet, and then go to a photocopying establishment to duplicate it. He said that denial of his request fit his description of obstructionist. Alderman Engelman reminded the alderman that their prioritized list of city services was due today and urged anyone who was not done to get it in sometime in the next few days. Alderman Engelman reminded Council that the Planning and Development Committee would hold a public hearing on the application for a Certificate of Special Merit for the former Commonwealth Edison substation in the Research Park on Monday, November 14 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber. 9 November 7, 1994 Alderman Engelman announced that the Economic Development Committee will discuss the Research Park at its next meeting on November 16. He noted that the committee was inviting all city appointees to the RPI Board to attend the meeting and to give any input they might desire. He said that all Council and community members were welcome to attend. He noted that the committee would also address the process of interviewing applicants for the RPI Board, but felt that since the committee had a full agenda, that process could not begin until after the first of the year. Alderman Guthrie congratulated the Library Board for its dedication program, especially for having the artists who created the various new art works there. She noted that the speech by Joseph Epstein was standing room only and reported that she had stopped counting at 300. Alderman Guthrie reported that she had recently met with the Main Street merchants to discuss problems with the sidewalks due to sewer tunneling. She thought that the City was lucky that the sidewalks had been replaced with brick pavers, because the problem can be dealt with more easily than if the sidewalks were poured concrete. Alderman Guthrie noted that she was very pleased to see Mr. Bryant nominated to the Library Board. She reported that she had observed him in action on the District 65 School Board and always thought that he dealt with issues with great intelligence and humor. She felt that he would be a valuable addition to the board. Alderman Heydemann supported Alderman Guthrie's comments about Mr. Bryant. She noted that she had worked closely with him in team teaching situation. Alderman Heydemann asked the city clerk to duplicate and make available copies of the ETHS Community Service Newsletter that she distributed to the aldermen. She thought that the citizens of Evanston did not know enough about the community service work being done by the students. Alderman Heydemann explained that the Blockbuster sign on the 1200 block of Chicago Avenue was permitted because, under our sign ordinance, it is considered a free-standing sign and not a roof sign. She made a reference to the Sian Review and Anneals Board to consider desianing language to nrohibit this tvne of sign in the future. Seconded by Alderman Guthrie. Motion carried. No nave. Alderman Kent asked for an update on his reference to the Preservation Commission to consider the possibility of establishing a cultural historic landmark district. Alderman Kent commented that he was pleased that action had been taken to get the 1817 Church Street building off the City's hands. He thought that with its new use, it would be a positive force in that business community. He noted that a police satellite station had been housed in the building for the last few years and knew it needed to `find a new home. He suggested that the police chief consider housing the satellite office in empty office space in the 1625 or 1705 Simpson buildings. He also asked for an update on the mobile police van. Alderman Kent reported that it was his information that the community was not very happy with what had been going on at the 1816 Dodge Avenue Habitat for Humanity site. He reported that the only minority supervisor at the site had been terminated due to lack of funds. He asked for a report on who draws a salary, a list of the fund raising plans and what money has come in so far for the project. He asked why a photographer was told that his photo could not be used in a local paper because there were no minorities in it. He asked for a report on how many minorities serve on all the Habitat for Humanity committees, including construction and family selection. He also asked how many minority volunteers had participated in building 1816 Dodge. Alderman Drummer reminded Council and the public that the Housing and Community Development Committee would be making their final recommendations on the disbursal of Community Development Block Grant funds at their meeting on Tuesday, November 15. The committee will meet on the second floor of the Civic Center beginning at 6:30 P.M. Alderman Holsman made a reference to the Human Services Committee to studv why neoole leave Evanston. and what effect the schools. housing stock. safetv. recreation and other Citv services have on that decision. Ir "I" AIM 7' W, 71 He noted that &m landlords in the Eighth Ward, with 21 units between them, have 10 halve Nim vacant for many months. He noted there appears to be an unwillingness among people to move into ciiltiiii aicas.- Alderman. Hohmm made a . -E., to the Pluning and Develop committee to mess the Citv's ieiialty ;structure for Housing Code violations conmered to Chicago and Oak Paris. He said that he was concerned with landlords who are in repeated violation and who seem to not be persuaded to comply with the City's codes by the fines that the City assesses. Alderman Holsman said that he looked &rward to -the mayor's leadership an the Howard Street revitalizationproject. Alderman Holsinan noted that the City should hear in about two weeks whedier it will receive federal finding for five additional police officers. He thanked the City Manager and Police Chief for dw efforts. Alderman Engelman moved that Council recess into a Closed Session to consider pending litigation. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Roll call. Voting aye - Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydeinan, Kent, Moran, Engelman, and Holsinan. Motion carried. (9-01 Council go recessed at 10.30 P.M. and reconvened in Open Session at 10:43 P.M. 11we being no further business to come before the. Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved and adjourned at 10:44 P.M. I(IRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK I