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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-1994-01-10-1994ITY COUNCIL January 10, 1994 Standing committees meet prior to the official regular meeting. Current members are as follows: Administration and Public Works Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer Alderman Guthrie Plannina and Development Alderman Newman Alderman Engelman Alderman Heydemann Alderman Rent Alderman Heydemann Alderman Engelman Alderman Rent Alderman Holsman Alderman Moran Alderman Feldman Human Services Alderman Guthrie Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Alderman Moran Alderman Drummer The OFFICIAL REGULAR MEETING of the City Council was held on Monday, January 10, 1994, at 8:35 P.M. in the City Council Chamber. ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Engelman Alderman Holsman Alderman Feldman Alderman Newman Alderman Drummer A Quorum being present. ABSENT: None TARDY: None PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton Alderman Guthrie Alderman Heydemann Alderman Rent Alderman Moran 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 January 10, 1994 PUBLIC BEARING 1994 - Community Develoament Block Grant Fundina Recos endations Ann Jennett. 216 Lake Street, representing the Youth Job Center (YJC), reported that the YJC had received a $10,000 cut in their funding this year because the CDBG Committee wanted to fund new agencies; noted that the City had received notice that it would be receiving $13,700 in additional funds in the Public Service category and asked that the committee restore the $10,000 cut from the YJC funding allocation. With no additional citizens signed up to speak, Mayor Morton declared the hearing over at 8:44 P.M. Acting City Manager, Bruce Zimmerman, announced that the City would be closed for the Martin Luther Ring, Jr. holiday on January 17 and that there would be no refuse pickup that day. Refuse and recycling will be picked up on a Tuesday - Friday schedule. Monday will also be a parking holiday, but the public library will be open. CITIZEN COMMENT: Sidnev B. Zwick. 1720 Washington Street, said that he represented three neighborhood groups which had requested that the Board of Ethics look into an alleged conflict of interest by an alderman; noted that he had attended the court hearing that day on the Howard Street Wall, that he had given representatives of the City of Chicago Corporation Counsel's office a copy a letter supporting the retention of the wall and read it to the Council. He complimented Alderman Heydemann and her fellow volunteers on a successful First Night and reported that he had done a video on it that would be broadcast on Channel 48 on January 18. He also reported that the community newspaper with which he was associated would continue to be not -for -profit and would begin limited home delivery. Doraine Anderson, 1860 Sherman Avenue, and Trustee of the Sherman Gardens complex, reported that the City's response to the recent fire there had been impressive beyond belief and, on behalf of the residents, thanked City Manager Anderson, Alderman Newman, Chief Hunt and the fire fighters, Chief Cooper, Director of Health and Human Services Terry, Director of Building and Property Services Wolinski and ESDA Coordinator Rubin for all they had done for the residents during and after the fire and for the sensitive way in which they treated them. Nicholas Andrew. 1016 Davis Street, a merchant in downtown Evanston, expressed concern about the panhandling in Evanston, particularly near the Barnes and Nobel bookstore and at the Chicago Avenue Jewel/Osco store. He reported that a number of people expressed reluctance to shop in Evanston because of the panhandling and felt that it had an effect on his business. He asked that the City take steps to ensure a more positive environment for shoppers. COMMUNICATIONS: On behalf of City staff, City Clerk Davis thanked Alderman Holsman for the bagels he had brought in for them before the Christmas holiday. She said that his thoughtfulness was much a preciated by everyone. Docket 1-1A-9 Prouosed 1994-95 Budget - Consideration of the Proposed Budget for the City of Evanston for the Fiscal Year 1994-95. A copy of the City Manager's recommended Budget was distributed on December 30, 1993. Budget Review Sessions have been scheduled for January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 1994, and a Public Hearing is scheduled for February 7, 1994, at 7:30 P.M. 3 January 10, 1994 3 �$ CONSENT AGENDA: (Any Docket Item Marked with an Asterisk*) Alderman Drummer moved Council approval of the Consent Agenda, with the following exception: Docket 8-1A-94: Resolution 2-R-94 - Amendment to CDBG Program. Seconded by Alderman Feldman. Roll call. Voting aye - Engelman, Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Kent, Moran. Voting nay - none. Motion carried. (9-0), *MINUTES; * The minutes of the regular meeting of December 13, 1993, as submitted in writing to the members of the City Council. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION, AND ROLL CALL. (9-0) ADMINISTRATION AND POB1,IC WORKS COMMITTEE: BILLS AND PAYROLL * Approval, as recommended, of City of Evanston bills for the period ending January 11, 1994; for City of Evanston payrolls for periods ending December 12, 1993 and December 26, 1993; and for City Council Payroll for December, 1993; and that their payment be authorized and charged to the proper accounts, summarized as follows: City of Evanston bills $ 4,301,276.87 City of Evanston payroll (12/12/93) $ 1,192,095.50 City of Evanston payroll (12/26/93) $ 1,188,880.84 City Council payroll $ 4,875.03 * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL �9-01 PURCHASES: * Approval of the low bid from Carbonite filter Corporation for Anthracite Media for the Water Plant at a total cost of $6,383.44. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost Carbonite Filter Corp. $6,383.44 Delano, PA Bos Sand Co. 6,623.60 Frankfort, IL American Filter Sand Co. 7,071.75 Chicago, IL International Filter Media 7,255.22 Hazelton, PA Northern Gravel Co. 7,280.00 Muscatine, IA Anthracite Filter Media Co. 7,488.00 Inglewood, Ca * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of the bid from Nature's Perspective Landscaping, Evanston, for Train Station Landscape Maintenance in the amount of $30,000. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01, �O1 5 January 10, 1994 * Docket 2-JLA-93: Temvorary Event Permit - 'Annual Garden Fair - Consideration of a request from the Garden Council of Evanston to use Raymond Park for their 44th Annual Garden Fair on May 6 and 7, 1994. As in the past, the Garden Council is requesting a waiver of fees for City services provided in support of the event. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL �9-01 * Docket 3-1A-94 Resolution 1-R-94 - Permit to do Work in State Riahts-of-Wav - Consideration of proposed Resolution 1-R-94, by which the City Council would authorize the implementation of an indemnification agreement with the State of Illinois in lieu of insurance and surety bonds otherwise required for the City to do work within the State Highway rights -of -way in the City of Evanston. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (9-0) * Docket 4-lA-91: Resolution 3-R-94 - Housina Options for the Mentally -Ill in Evanston - Consideration of proposed Resolution 3-R-94, by which the City Council would lease the Civic Center Boiler Building Apartment to Housing Options for the Mentally -Ill in Evanston. ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA, MOTION AND ROLL CALL. (9-01 * Docket 5-lA-94: (ordinance 2-0-94 - Reoealina Ordinance 120-0-93 Re: Special Service District #5 - consideration of proposed Ordinance 2-0-94, by which the City Council would repeal proposed Ordinance 120-0-93, creating Special Service District #5, to afford residents/owners in the proposed District the opportunity to have input into the process. * MARRED INTRODUCED - CONSENT AGENDA Alderman Heydemann moved to Suspend the Rules in order to adopt an ordinance the same night it is introduced. Seconded by Alderman Engelman. Motion carried. No nays. Alderman Heydemann moved Council adoption of proposed Ordinance 2-0-94. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Alderman Heydemann explained that because of state law, Ordinance 120-0-93 permits no changes to the boundaries of Special Service District #5, and, by repealing it, would give resident's and owners of property in the proposed district input and allow the district to be reconfigured (if needed) in response to that input. A new ordinance will be written when that process is complete. Roll Call. Voting aye - Engelman, Holsman, Feldman, Newman, Drummer, Guthrie, Heydemann, Rent and Moran. Motion carried. (9-0) * Docket 280-12A-93: Ordinance 138-0-93 - 4-Wav Stop - Elmwood/Crain - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 138- E-93, introduced on December 13, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-5, Schedule V(D), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish a Four -Way Stop at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Crain Street. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL., (9-0) * Docket 281-12A-93: Ordinance 139-0-93 - 25 MPH Speed Limit - Isabella and Harvard - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 139-0-93, introduced on December 13, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-1, Schedule ll(B), of the Code of the City of Evanston to establish a 25 mph speed limit on Isabella Street between Highland Avenue and Green Bay Road and on Harvard Terrace between Asbury and Ridge Avenues. ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL. A9-0t 4 January 10, 1994 � 3 D * Approval of the low bid from F&V Construction for Window Replacement at the Water Plant pumping Station at.a cost of $50,154. BID SUMMARY: Bidder Total Cost F&V Construction Co. $50,154 Skokie, IL Des Plaines Glass Co. 73,547 Des Plaines, IL * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order #1 to F&V Construction Co. for additional masonry replacement and rebuilding of the existing masonry wall of the Civic Center Boiler Building at a cost of $2,936. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order #2 to F&V Construction Co. for reroofing and repair of wood deck of the Civic Center Boiler Building at a cost of $7,480. * APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order #3 to F&V Construction Co. for a change in the roof coping system of the Civic Center Boiler Building Roof at no additional cost. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order 12 to the City's contract with Kovilic Construction for four additional items of work on the Combined Sewer on Main Street at a cost of $24,286.68. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order 05 covering removal of special waste encountered during construction of Phase II, Area I of the Long -Range Sewer Improvement Program to DiPaolo Construction at a cost of $24,635.87. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order #3 covering two items related to adjusting a water main at Asbury and Lee and for reinstallation of an 18-inch relief sewer on Asbury under the Long -Range Sewer Improvement Program, Phase II, Area 2 to Marino Midwest, Inc., at a cost of $24,047.86. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order #4 involving deletion of 108 feet of 120-inch tunnel as part of Phase II, Area 2, of the Long -Range Sewer Improvement Program at a cost reduction of $162,000 to Marino Midwest, Inc. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of Change Order 02 which adds 108 feet of 108-inch tunnel as part of Phase III, Contract B, of the Long -Range Sewer Improvement Program to J. F. Shea Company at a cost of $102,200. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) * Approval of Change Order #11 covering quantity adjustments based on actual work incorporated into the Transportation Center project at a cost reduction of $26,354.28 to Blinderman Construction Company. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 * Approval of a Change Order in the Contract for Professional Services with Howard Needles Tammen and Bergendoff for the Transportation Center to raise the maximum price of the contract by $60,616. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-01 1 ' 6 January 10, 1994 * Docket 282-12A-93: Ordinance ],40-0-93 - No Parking Zone on Park Place - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 140-0-93, introduced on December 13, 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 on Park Place east of Hurd Avenue. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL., (9-0) * Docket 283-12A-93: Ordinance 141-0-93 - Adding to, ROPD #9 - Callan north to South Boulevard, - consideration of proposed Ordinance 141-0-93, introduced on December 13, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10-11-18, Schedule XVIII(I), of the Code of the City of Evanston to add a portion of Callan Avenue north of South Boulevard to Resident Only Parking District 19. Also included is a recommendation to allow employees of businesses adjacent to the District to purchase permits for this District. * ADOPTED - (CONSENT AGENDA NOTION AND ROLL CALL. (9-01 * Docket 284-12A-93: Ordinance 142-0-93 - Loading Zone Hours - Church - Chicago to Hinman - Consideration of proposed Ordinance 142-0-93, introduced on December 13, 1993, by which the City Council would amend Section 10- 11-7, Schedule VII(B), of the Code of the City of Evanston to change the times the existing Loading Zone is.in effect on Church Street between Hinman And Chicago Avenues. * ADOPTED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL, CALL. (9-01 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: * Docket 6-1A-94: Townshio Bills - Consideration of a recommendation that the City Council approve Township bills, payroll, and medical payments for the month of December 1994 in the amount of$128,733.59. * APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL (9-0) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: * Docket 7-1,A-94: nevelpParcelsment of Vacant Pacels - 1816 Darrow. 1928 Foster. 1.616 Darrow. and 1816 Dodge - Consideration of a recommendation from the Evanston Housing Commission to accept the proposal from Habitat for Humanity for the development of vacant parcels at 1816 Darrow, 1928 Foster, 1616 Darrow, and 1816 Dodge for affordable housing for larger Evanston families. APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA MOTION AND ROLL CALL /9-01 Alderman Newman reminded Planning and Development Committee members that they had a meeting scheduled to consider the proposed Preservation Ordinance at 11:30 A.M., Saturday, January 15, following the budget session. COMMITTEES: * Docket 8-1A-94: Resoli�tinn 2-R-94 - Amendment to Communitv Development Block grant Program - Consideration of proposed Resolution 2-R-94, by which the City Council would amend the 1991, 1992 and 1993 Community Development Block grant Programs and authorize the reallocation of $133,080 from those Programs to the 1994-95 CDBG funding year. This docket item was held. 7 January 10, 1994 33 // 1 REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES No action items - all docket items on Consent Agenda. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Docket 277-11B-91: Resolution 110-R-93 - Council Rule Dertainino to Aldermanic Debate - Consideration of proposed Resolution 110-R-93, as proposed by Alderman Newman, by which the City Council would delete language from the Council's Rules that provides a mechanism for limiting aldermanic speech to five minutes. This matter was considered by the Rules Committee during its November 1, 1993 meeting. The Rules Committee chose to make no change to the existing Council Rule. At the request of three Aldermen, this matter has been placed on the Council's Agenda. In accordance with Council Rule 3.1., which requires that proposed Rule changes be distributed to Council at least one week in advance of the vote thereon, a copy of proposed Resolution 110-R-93 and a descriptive memorandum were transmitted to Council on November 11, 1993. Tabled. Alderman Rent, Chair of the Sister Cities Foundation, reported that the Foundation was disbanding due to a lack of support and interest on the part of citizens. He felt it was a worthwhile endeavor, but without citizen support, concluded that it was not viable. He asked Council members for their thoughts and responded to their questions and comments. For Alderman Feldman, he clarified that the City would notify Belize City and the Dnieprovsky District of Kiev once the dissolution is final. Alderman Heydemann noted that she was also a member of the committee and that they had consistently failed to get a quorum at their recent meetings. She pointed out that with few participants they were not able to plan further projects and that a tentative fund raiser had to be cancelled due to lack of interest. Alderman Drummer noted that its state charter required that it disband if there are fewer than ten members and said that they had fallen below that number. Alderman Kent clarified that if anyone wishes to begin a Sister City Foundation again, they will have to start over and get a new charter. Alderman Drummer expressed his strong support for the idea of the Sister City relationship and noted that he had gone to the Soviet Union to a Sister Cities conference and was there when Evanston formalized its relationship to Dnieprovsky. He noted that the trip had made him realize that you accomplished more "person to person" than "government to government," but said that if people were not willing to support it, the City could not continue the relationships. Alderman Feldman said that if we can't seem to generate enough interest from citizens, Council ought to just call it a day and allow the Foundation to cease. Mayor Morton pointed out that the decision was not Council's to make, but that it had already been made (through the Charter) due to lack of interest and participation by citizens. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Morton asked for Council confirmation of the following names for reappointment and appointment: Susan Tash, 2878 Sheridan Place for term ending June 30, 1996 (Reappointment) John Wertymer, 806 Ingleside for term ending January 31, 1997 Robert A. Creamer, 1500 Oak Avenue for term ending January 31, 1997 Cable Commission Arts Council Board of Ethics Alderman Feldman moved Council approval of these nominations. Seconded by Alderman Drummer. Motion carried. No nays. 3 3 8 January 10, 1994 Mayor Morton -introduced the following names for appointment: Kenneth S. Watson, 1555 Oak Avenue Commission on Aging (King Home) Hans F. Baumann, 3319 Simpson Street Energy Commission CATS, OF THE WARDS: Alderman Newman noted that Doraine Anderson was an associate member of the Plan Commission and, along with her fellow trustees, faced an enormous challenge in managing the 140 units of Sherman Gardens following the unfortunate fire just before Christmas. He felt that the Fire Department had done an outstanding job and complimented and thanked Chief Hunt, Deputy Chief Berkowsky and their men for all their efforts. He noted that there had been one death in the fire and felt there could have been more if it hadn't been for the fine job done by the Fire Department. He also thanked ESDA Coordinator, Max Rubin for the work he did in placing residents displaced by the fire in the Holiday Inn. Alderman Newman noted that he had been in a fire station recently and looked at the bulletin board and saw a notice that a fire arbitration case had been settled. He reported that he had been told that of the last nineteen arbitrations, the City had lost seventeen of them and asked that be verified by staff. He made a reference to the Administration and Public Works Committee that any time there is an arbitration decision with anv baraainina unit in the City, that notice of the .results and the amounomonev event on learal fees be viven t f. to Council. He said that he did not understand why the City lost seventeen out of nineteen. Alderman Newman stated that this year's budget is full of tax increases and looked forward to the mayor's comments on them. He felt that the 17% increase in water rates, added to the increases in sewer rates to pay for the sewer improvements, was as onerous as a property tax increase. He asked whether it would be possible to develop a two -tiered system of water rate increases that would hit larger users harder and possibly promote conservation. Alderman Newman made reference to an editorial in the Chicago Tribune about Chicago's response to the Homeless which stressed the need for local municipalities to come up with solutions to deal with them. He felt Evanston was doing that with its support of the Homeless Shelter and various agencies that deal with the homeless. He noted that Evanston Township was one of the few that continues to offer General Assistance. The editorial also noted that sometimes Cities have to take other actions to protect the interests of other groups, such as businesses and citizens walking on the streets. He did not believe it was anti -homeless to want businesses to function. He asked that the Human Services Committee, or another committee, come up with a policy. He cited the example of Seattle. He made a reference to the Human Services Committee to once again look at the Dossibility of develovina some sort of voucher vrooram for the Citv. He said he wanted to see something developed to try to protect businesses in downtown Evanston and felt it could be done without the City being considered anti -Homeless. Alderman Engelman thanked everyone for their kind expressions of sympathy and said that, contrary to popular opinion that it was .angry citizens from Southwest Evanston who were responsible for his present condition, it was a skiing accident that put him in the wheel chair. Alderman Guthrie commended the First Night Committee for their successful event on New Year's Eve. She noted that she had been concerned about the weather, but those concerns had been unfounded. She reported that she had attended several events, including those at Bank One and reported that they had been mobbed. She expressed the hope that some of the bigger buildings in the downtown would make themselves available next year for events. She also reported that the fire works were terrific, even though she had difficulty in adjusting to fire works when it wasn't hot outside. She felt it was a great success for a first time event and hoped that it would be repeated next year. 9 January 10, 1994 33 Alderman Heydemann reported that she was very pleased at the outcome of First Night and was happy that she was not aware of the weather problems that made shooting off the fire works "iffy." She noted that there were many people to thank, including Muriel Chalem, her co-chair for the event. She also thanked Director of Parks and Recreation, Don Wirth; Arts Council Executive Director., Joseph Zendell; and the Police and Fire Departments for the outstanding jobs they did. She suspected that the reason that the community was clean after the event had a great deal to do with the personal efforts of Mr. Wirth. She reported that there will be a First Night next year and asked anyone interested in volunteering to contact her. She has been informed that spaces that had not been available to the committee this year (because people were not sure how the event would turn out) will be available next year. She also thanked Shand Morahan for making their board room available for a sponsors' party at the end of the evening, and thanked the Chicago Sun -Times for sponsoring the fire works. She said it was a very happy event. She said that a more complete report would be available in February. Mayor Morton reported that some of the merchants were overjoyed with the event and one merchant reported that in the early hours of the evening, over three hundred people had come into his shop. Alderman Heydemann said that the First Night Committee had asked the Chamber of Commerce to find out what kind of impact the event had on downtown merchants. She also reported that, based on telephone calls received by the committee early in the evening, many people came into Evanston from other suburbs - some of them from fairly far away - for the event. She felt that having the shuttle busses provided by Robinson Bus, including one that was handicapped accessible, made it much easier to get around. Alderman Moran thanked the First Night Committee for putting on a first rate event. He reported that he had attended and had heard many wonderful comments. He said that one of the best parts of the event was going from one venue to another and seeing so many familiar faces - the kind who are always willing to pitch in and help out. He felt that it was a tremendous collaborative effort. He was pleased to see that an arts event could draw so much interest in downtown Evanston and felt that it was an idea that needed to be explored because it provides the City with many aesthetic and economic opportunities. Alderman Drummer joined in congratulating the First Night Committee and felt it was a great event for the City of Evanston. Alderman Holsman thanked Director of Building and Property Services Wolinski and City Manager Anderson for formulating the pilot program for the southeast Eighth Ward area that is addressing the needs of residents displaced by zoning and property standards inspections. Alderman Holsman stated that the only notice he was aware of announcing the public hearing on CDBG had been placed in the Evanston Review and asked that methods be explored of giving wider notice about that public hearing. It felt that it was very important for low and moderate income people to be at the meeting and felt that they were not receiving adequate notice of those hearings. Alderman Holsman also congratulated the First Night Committee on the event and reported that he and his wife had spent most of the evening attending various events and looked forward to next year. Alderman Feldman noted that at the last Economic Development Committee meeting he had requested a series of detailed budgets regarding the Research Park and RPI (Research Park Incorporated). He stated that what he really wanted to do was to avoid the drawbridges being drawn up and a moat or siege mentality to come over the Council because he was not attacking anything with that request. He said he was just looking for illumination and the kind of information in which all Council members are interested. He hoped he would have it soon. 3�J 10 - January 10, '' 1994 Alderman Feldman reported that his son and his wife had just made him a grandfather -for the second time by presenting him with an 8 pounds 1 ounce grandson. He was delighted to'now be grandfather to a little girl and a little boy. There being no more business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn. The Council so moved and adjourned at 9:35 P.K. RIRSTEN F. DAVIS CITY CLERK I. n