HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract - Metropolitan Tenants Organization MTO - Landloard Tenant Services $91,600 1.1.26-12.31.26
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
Luke Stowe, City Manager
Sarah Flax, Community Development Director
Ana Elizarraga, Housing & Economic Development Analyst
Metropolitan Tenants Organization - Professional Services Agreement
January 23, 2026
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The Community Development Department requests your signature on the Metropolitan
Tenants Organization - Professional Services Agreement. The City Council approved
funding on November 24, 2025.
If you have any questions, you may contact Ana Elizarraga (x8023)
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CITY OF EVANSTON
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
The parties referenced herein desire to enter into an agreement for professional
services for:
Landlord-Tenant Services
(“the Project”)
THIS AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) entered into this 1st
day of January 2026, between the City of Evanston, an Illinois municipal corporation with
offices located at 909 Davis Street, Evanston Illinois 60201 (hereinafter referred to as the
“City”), and Metropolitan Tenants Organization with offices located at 1727 S Indiana Ave,
G3, Chicago, IL 60616 (hereinafter referred to as the “Contracted organization”).
Compensation for all basic Services (“the Services”) provided by the Contracted
organization pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall not exceed $91,600.00.
I. COMMENCEMENT DATE
The contracted organization shall commence the Services on
January 01, 2026, or no later than three (3) DAYS AFTER the City
executes and delivers this Agreement to the Contracted
organization.
II. COMPLETION DATE
Contracted organization shall complete the Services by December 31, 2026. If this
Agreement provides for renewals after an initial term, no renewal shall begin until
agreed to in writing by both parties prior to the completion date of this Agreement.
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III. PAYMENTS
City shall pay Contracted organization those fees as provided here: Payment
shall be made upon the completion of each task for a project, as set forth in
Exhibit A – Project Milestones and Deliverables. Any expenses in addition to
those set forth here must be specifically approved by the City in writing in
advance.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Contracted organization shall perform the services (the “Services”) set forth here:
Services are those as defined in Exhibit A, and Contracted organization’s Application
(Exhibit B). Services may include, if any, other documented discussions and
agreements regarding scope of work and cost (Exhibit C).
V. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Services. Contracted organizations shall perform the Services in a
professional and workmanlike manner. All Services performed and documentation
(regardless of format) provided by Contracted organization shall be in accordance
with the standards of reasonable care and skill of the profession, free from errors or
omissions, ambiguities, coordination problems, and other defects. Contracted
organization shall take into account any and all applicable plans and/or specifications
furnished by City, or by others at City’s direction or request, to Contracted
organization during the term of this Agreement. All materials, buildings, structures, or
equipment designed or selected by Contracted organization shall be workable and fit
for the intended use thereof, and will comply with all applicable governmental
requirements. Contracted organization shall require its employees to observe the
working hours, rules, security regulations and holiday schedules of City while working
and to perform its Services in a manner which does not unreasonably interfere with
the City’s business and operations, or the business and operations of other tenants
and occupants in the City which may be affected by the work relative to this
Agreement. Contracted organization shall take all necessary precautions to assure
the safety of its employees who are engaged in the performance of the Services, all
equipment and supplies used in connection therewith, and all property of City or
other parties that may be affected in connection therewith. If requested by the City,
the Contracted organization shall promptly replace any employee or agent performing
the Services if, in the opinion of the City, the performance of the employee or agent is
unsatisfactory.
Contracted organization is responsible for confirming its final work product to
generally accepted professional standards for all work performed pursuant to this
Agreement. Contracted organization is an independent Contracted organization and
is solely responsible for all taxes, withholdings, and other statutory or contractual
obligations of any sort, including but not limited to, Worker ’s Compensation
Insurance. Nothing in this Agreement accords any third-party beneficiary rights
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whatsoever to any non-party to this Agreement that any non-party may seek to
enforce. Contracted organization acknowledges and agrees that should Contracted
organization or its subcontracted organizations provide false information, or fail to be
or remain in compliance with this Agreement, the City may void this Agreement. The
Contracted organization warrants and states that it has read the Contract
Documents, and agrees to be bound thereby, including all performance guarantees
as respects Contracted organization’s work and all indemnity and insurance
requirements.
The Contracted organization shall obtain prior approval from the City prior to
subcontracting with any entity or person to perform any of the work required under
this Agreement. If the Contracted organization subcontracts any of the services to be
performed under this Agreement, the subcontracted organization agreement shall
provide that the services to be performed under any such agreement shall not be
sublet, sold, transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of to another entity or
person without the City’s prior written consent. The Contracted organization shall be
responsible for the accuracy and quality of any subcontracted organization’s work.
All subcontracted organization agreements shall include verbatim or by
reference the provisions in this Agreement binding upon Contracted organization as
to all Services provided by this Agreement, such that it is binding upon each and
every subcontracted organization that does work or provides Services under this
Agreement.
The Contracted organization shall cooperate fully with the City, other City
contractors, other municipalities and local government officials, public utility
companies, and others, as may be directed by the City. This shall include attendance
at meetings, discussions and hearings as requested by the City. This cooperation
shall extend to any investigation, hearings or meetings convened or instituted by
OSHA relative to this Project, as necessary. Contracted organization shall cooperate
with the City in scheduling and performing its Work to avoid conflict, delay in or
interference with the work of others, if any, at the Project.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the nature and scope of Services
specified in this Agreement may only be modified by a writing approved by both
parties. This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time provided,
however, that no such amendment or modification shall be effective unless reduced
to writing and duly authorized and signed by the authorized representatives of the
parties.
B. Representation and Warranties. Contracted organization represents and
warrants that: (1) Contracted organization possesses and will keep in force all
required licenses to perform the Services, (2) the employees of Contracted
organization performing the Services are fully qualified, licensed as required, and
skilled to perform the Services.
C. Termination. City may, at any time, with or without cause, terminate this
Agreement upon seven (7) days written notice to the Contracted organization. If the
City terminates this agreement, the City will make payment to the Contracted
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organization for Services performed prior to termination. Payments made by the City
pursuant to this Agreement are subject to sufficient appropriations made by the City
of Evanston City Council. In the event of termination resulting from non-appropriation
or insufficient appropriation by the City Council, the City’s obligations hereunder shall
cease and there shall be no penalty or further payment required. In the event of an
emergency or threat to the life, safety or welfare of the citizens of the City, the City
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without prior written notice. Within
thirty (30) days of termination of this Agreement, the Contracted organization shall
turn over to the City any documents, drafts, and materials, including but not limited to,
outstanding work product, data, studies, test results, source documents, AutoCad
Version 2007, PDF, ArtView, Word, Excel spreadsheets, technical specifications and
calculations, and any other such items specifically identified by the City related to the
Services herein.
D. Independent Contracted organization. Contracted organization’s status
shall be that of an independent Contracted organization and not that of a servant,
agent, or employee of City. Contracted organization shall not hold Contracted
organization out, nor claim to be acting, as a servant, agent or employee of City.
Contracted organization is not authorized to, and shall not, make or undertake any
agreement, understanding, waiver or representation on behalf of City. The contracted
organization shall, at its own expense, comply with all applicable workers
compensation, unemployment insurance, employer ’s liability, tax withholding,
minimum wage and hour, and other federal, state, county and municipal laws,
ordinances, rules, regulations and orders. Contracted organization agrees to abide
by the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), and as the same may be
amended from time to time, applicable state and municipal safety and health laws
and all regulations pursuant thereto.
E. Conflict of Interest. Contracted organization represents and warrants that no
prior or present services provided by Contracted organization to third parties conflict
with the interests of City in respect to the Services being provided hereunder except
as shall have been expressly disclosed in writing by Contracted organization to City
and consented to in writing to City.
F. Ownership of Documents and Other Materials. All originals, duplicates and
negatives of all plans, drawings, reports, photographs, charts, programs, models,
specimens, specifications, AutoCad Version 2007, Excel spreadsheets, PDF, and
other documents or materials required to be furnished by Contracted organization
hereunder, including drafts and reproduction copies thereof, shall be and remain the
exclusive property of City, and City shall have the unlimited right to publish and use
all or any part of the same without payment of any additional royalty, charge, or other
compensation to Contracted organization. Upon the termination of this Agreement,
or upon request of City, during any stage of the Services, Contracted organization
shall promptly deliver all such materials to City. Contracted organization shall not
publish, transfer, license or, except in connection with carrying out obligations under
this Agreement, use or reuse all or any part of such reports and other documents,
including working pages, without the prior written approval of City, provided, however,
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that Contracted organization may retain copies of the same for Contracted
organization’s own general reference.
G. Payment. Invoices for payment shall be submitted by Contracted organization
to City at the address set forth above, together with reasonable supporting
documentation, City may require such additional supporting documentation as City
reasonably deems necessary or desirable. Payment shall be made in accordance
with the Illinois Local Government Prompt Payment Act, after City’s receipt of an
invoice and all such supporting documentation.
H. Right to Audit. Contracted organization shall for a period of three years
following performance of the Services, keep and make available for the inspection,
examination and audit by City or City’s authorized employees, agents or
representatives, at all reasonable time, all records respecting the services and
expenses incurred by Contracted organization, including without limitation, all book,
accounts, memoranda, receipts, ledgers, canceled checks, and any other documents
indicating, documenting, verifying or substantiating the cost and appropriateness of
any and all expenses. If any invoice submitted by Contracted organization is found to
have been overstated, Contracted organization shall provide City an immediate
refund of the overpayment together with interest at the highest rate permitted by
applicable law, and shall reimburse all of City’s expenses for and in connection with
the audit respecting such invoice.
I. Indemnity. Contracted organization shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the City and its officers, elected and appointed officials, agents, and
employees from any and all liability, losses, or damages as a result of claims,
demands, suits, actions, or proceedings of any kind or nature, including but not
limited to costs, and fees, including attorney’s fees, judgments or settlements,
resulting from or arising out of any negligent or willful act or omission on the part of
the Contracted organization or Contracted organization’s subcontractors, employees,
agents or subcontractors during the performance of this Agreement. Such
indemnification shall not be limited by reason of the enumeration of any insurance
coverage herein provided. This provision shall survive completion, expiration, or
termination of this Agreement.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the City, or its
officers, agents, or employees, from defending through the selection and use of their
own agents, attorneys, and experts, any claims, actions or suits brought against
them. The Contracted organization shall be liable for the costs, fees, and expenses
incurred in the defense of any such claims, actions, or suits. Nothing herein shall be
construed as a limitation or waiver of defenses available to the City and employees
and agents, including but not limited to the Illinois Local Governmental and
Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act, 745 ILCS 10/1-101 et seq.
At the City Corporation Counsel’s option, Contracted organization must defend
all suits brought upon all such Losses and must pay all costs and expenses
incidental to them, but the City has the right, at its option, to participate, at its own
cost, in the defense of any suit, without relieving Contracted organization of any of its
obligations under this Agreement. Any settlement of any claim or suit related to this
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Agreement by Contracted organization must be made only with the prior written
consent of the City Corporation Counsel, if the settlement requires any action on the
part of the City.
To the extent permissible by law, Contracted organization waives any limits to
the amount of its obligations to indemnify, defend, or contribute to any sums due
under any Losses, including any claim by any employee of Contracted organization
that may be subject to the Illinois Workers Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/1 et seq.
or any other related law or judicial decision, including but not limited to, Kotecki v.
Cyclops Welding Corporation, 146 Ill. 2d 155 (1991). The City, however, does not
waive any limitations it may have on its liability under the Illinois Workers
Compensation Act, the Illinois Pension Code or any other statute.
The contracted organization shall be responsible for any losses and costs to
repair or remedy work performed under this Agreement resulting from or arising out
of any act or omission, neglect, or misconduct in the performance of its Work or its
sub-contracted organizations’ work. Acceptance of the work by the City will not
relieve the Contracted organization of the responsibility for subsequent correction of
any such error, omissions and/or negligent acts or of its liability for loss or damage
resulting therefrom. All provisions of this Section shall survive completion, expiration,
or termination of this Agreement.
J. Insurance. Contracted organization shall carry and maintain at its own cost
with such companies as are reasonably acceptable to City all necessary liability
insurance (which shall include as a minimum the requirements set forth below) during
the term of this Agreement, for damages caused or contributed to by Contracted
organization, and insuring Contracted organization against claims which may arise
out of or result from Contracted organization’s performance or failure to perform the
Services hereunder: (1) worker ’s compensation in statutory limits and employer ’s
liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000, (2) comprehensive general
liability coverage, and designating City as additional insured for not less than
$1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury, death and property damage, per
occurrence, (3) comprehensive automobile liability insurance covering owned,
non-owned and leased vehicles for not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for
bodily injury, death or property damage, per occurrence, and (4) errors and omissions
or professional liability insurance respecting any insurable professional services
hereunder in the amount of at least $1,000,000. Contracted organization shall give
to the City certificates of insurance for all Services done pursuant to this Agreement
before Contracted organization performs any Services, and, if requested by City,
certified copies of the policies of insurance evidencing the coverage and amounts set
forth in this Section. The City may also require Contracted organization to provide
copies of the Additional Insured Endorsement to said policy(ies) which name the City
as an Additional Insured for all of Contracted organization’s Services and work under
this Agreement. Any limitations or modification on the certificate of insurance issued
to the City in compliance with this Section that conflict with the provisions of this
Section shall have no force and effect. Contracted organization’s certificate of
insurance shall contain a provision that the coverage afforded under the policy(s) will
not be canceled or reduced without thirty (30) days prior written notice (hand
delivered or registered mail) to City. Contracted organization understands that the
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acceptance of certificates, policies and any other documents by the City in no way
releases the Contracted organization and its subcontractors from the requirements
set forth herein. Contracted organization expressly agrees to waive its rights,
benefits and entitlements under the “Other Insurance” clause of its commercial
general liability insurance policy as respects the City. In the event Contracted
organization fails to purchase or procure insurance as required above, the parties
expressly agree that Contracted organization shall be in default under this
Agreement, and that the City may recover all losses, attorney’s fees and costs
expended in pursuing a remedy or reimbursement, at law or in equity, against
Contracted organization.
Contracted organization acknowledges and agrees that if it fails to comply with
all requirements of this Section, that the City may void this Agreement.
K. Confidentiality. In connection with this Agreement, City may provide
Contracted organization with information to enable Contracted organization to render
the Services hereunder, or Contracted organization may develop confidential
information for City. Contracted organization agrees (i) to treat, and to obligate
Contracted organization’s employees to treat, as secret and confidential all such
information whether or not identified by City as confidential, (ii) not to disclose any
such information or make available any reports, recommendations and /or
conclusions which Contracted organization may make for City to any person, firm or
corporation or use the same in any manner whatsoever without first obtaining City’s
written approval, and (iii) not to disclose to City any information obtained by
Contracted organization on a confidential basis from any third party unless
Contracted organization shall have first received written permission from such third
party to disclose such information.
Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/7(2), records in
the possession of others whom the City has contracted with to perform a
governmental function are covered by the Act and subject to disclosure within limited
statutory timeframes (five (5) working days with a possible five (5) working day
extension). Upon notification from the City that it has received a Freedom of
Information Act request that calls for records within the Contracted organization’s
control, the Contracted organization shall promptly provide all requested records to
the City so that the City may comply with the request within the required timeframe.
The City and the Contracted organization shall cooperate to determine what records
are subject to such a request and whether or not any exemptions to the disclosure of
such records, or part thereof, is applicable. Vendor shall indemnify and defend the
City from and against all claims arising from the City’s exceptions to disclosing
certain records which Vendor may designate as proprietary or confidential.
Compliance by the City with an opinion or a directive from the Illinois Public Access
Counselor or the Attorney General under FOIA, or with a decision or order of Court
with jurisdiction over the City, shall not be a violation of this Section.
L. Use of City’s Name or Picture of Property. Contracted organization shall
not in the course of performance of this Agreement or thereafter use or permit the
use of City’s name nor the name of any affiliate of City, nor any picture of or reference
to its Services in any advertising, promotional or other materials prepared by or on
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behalf of Contracted organization, nor disclose or transmit the same to any other
party.
M. No Assignments or Subcontracts. Contracted organization shall not assign
or subcontract all or any part or its rights or obligations hereunder without City’s
express prior written approval. Any attempt to do so without the City’s prior consent
shall, at City’s option, be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever. The
contracted organization shall not employ, contract with, or use the services of any
other architect, interior designer, engineer, contracted organization, special
contractor, or other third party in connection with the performance of the Services
without the prior written consent of the City.
N. Compliance with Applicable Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations. In
performing the Services, Contracted organization shall comply with all applicable
federal, state, county, and municipal statues, ordinances and regulations, at
Contracted organization’s sole cost and expense, except to the extent expressly
provided to the contrary herein. Whenever the City deems it reasonably necessary
for security reasons, the City may conduct at its own expense, criminal and driver
history background checks of Contracted organization’s officers, employees,
subcontractors, or agents. The contracted organization shall immediately reassign
any such individual who in the opinion of the City does not pass the background
check.
O. Liens and Encumbrances. Contracted organization, for itself, and on behalf
of all subcontractors, suppliers, materialmen and others claiming by, through or under
Contracted organization, hereby waives and releases any and all statutory or
common law mechanics’ materialmens’ or other such lien claims, or rights to place a
lien upon City property or any improvements thereon in connection with any Services
performed under or in connection with this Agreement. Contracted organization
further agrees, as and to the extent of payment made hereunder, to execute a sworn
affidavit respecting the payment and lien releases of all subcontractors, suppliers and
materialmen, and a release of lien respecting the Services at such time or times and
in such form as may be reasonably requested by City. Contracted organization shall
protect City from all liens for labor performed, material supplied or used by
Contracted organization and/or any other person in connection with the Services
undertaken by contracted organization hereunder, and shall not at any time suffer or
permit any lien or attachment or encumbrance to be imposed by any subContracted
organization, supplier or materialmen, or other person, firm or corporation, upon City
property or any improvements thereon, by reason or any claim or demand against
Contracted organization or otherwise in connection with the Services.
P. Notices. Every notice or other communication to be given by either party to
the other with respect to this Agreement, shall be in writing and shall not be effective
for any purpose unless the same shall be served personally or by United States
certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed if to City as follows: City of
Evanston, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201, Attention: Purchasing Division
and to Contracted organization at the address first above set forth, or at such other
address or addresses as City or Contracted organization may from time to time
designate by notice given as above provided.
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Q. Attorney’s Fees. In the event that the City commences any action, suit, or
other proceeding to remedy, prevent, or obtain relief from a breach of this Agreement
by Contracted organization, or arising out of a breach of this Agreement by
Contracted organization, the City shall recover from the Contracted organization as
part of the judgment against Contracted organization, its attorneys’ fees and costs
incurred in each and every such action, suit, or other proceeding.
R. Waiver. Any failure or delay by City to enforce the provisions of this
Agreement shall in no way constitute a waiver by City of any contractual right
hereunder, unless such waiver is in writing and signed by City.
S. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement should be held
void, or unenforceable, the remaining portions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect.
T. Choice of Law. The rights and duties arising under this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. Venue for any action arising out or due
to this Agreement shall be in Cook County, Illinois. The City shall not enter into
binding arbitration to resolve any dispute under this Agreement. The City does not
waive tort immunity by entering into this Agreement.
U. Time. Contracted organization agrees all time limits provided in this
Agreement and any Addenda or Exhibits hereto are of essence to this Agreement.
Contracted organization shall continue to perform its obligations while any dispute
concerning the Agreement is being resolved, unless otherwise directed by the City.
V. Survival. Except as expressly provided to the contrary herein, all provisions
of this Agreement shall survive all performances hereunder including the termination
of the Contracted organization.
VI. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
In the event of the Contracted organization’s noncompliance with any provision of
Section 1-12-5 of the Evanston City Code, the Illinois Human Rights Act or any other
applicable law, the Contracted organization may be declared non responsible and
therefore ineligible for future contracts or subcontracts with the City, and the contract
may be canceled or voided in whole or in part, and such other sanctions or penalties
may be imposed or remedies invoked as provided by statute or regulation.
During the performance of the contract, the Contracted organization agrees as
follows:
A. That it will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment
because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin
or ancestry, or age or physical or mental disabilities that do not impair ability to work,
and further that it will examine all job classifications to determine if minority persons
or women are underutilized and will take appropriate affirmative action to rectify any
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such underutilization. The contracted organization shall comply with all requirements
of City of Evanston Code Section 1-12-5.
B. That, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by it on its
behalf, it will state that all applicants will be afforded equal opportunity without
discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, ancestry, or disability.
VII. SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
The Contracted organization certifies pursuant to the Illinois Human Rights Act (775
ILCS 5/2105 et. seq.), that it has a written sexual harassment policy that includes, at
a minimum, the following information:
A. The illegality of sexual harassment;
B. The definition of sexual harassment under State law;
C. A description of sexual harassment utilizing examples;
D. The Contracted organization’s internal complaint process including penalties;
E. Legal recourse, investigation and complaint process available through the
Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission, and
directions on how to contact both; and
F. Protection against retaliation as provided to the Department of Human Rights.
VIII. CONTRACTED ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATIONS
A. Contracted organization acknowledges and agrees that should Contracted
organization or its subcontracted organization provide false information, or fail to be
or remain in compliance with the Agreement, the City may void this Agreement.
B. Contracted organization certifies that it and its employees will comply with
applicable provisions of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Federal
Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1201 et
seq.) and applicable rules in performance under this Agreement.
C. If Contracted organization, or any officer, director, partner, or other managerial
agent of Contracted organization, has been convicted of a felony under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or a Class 3 or Class 2 felony under the Illinois
Securities Law of 1953, Contracted organization certifies at least five years have
passed since the date of the conviction.
D. Contracted organization certifies that it has not been convicted of the offense
of bid rigging or bid rotating or any similar offense of any State in the U.S., nor made
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any admission of guilt of such conduct that is a matter of record. (720 ILCS 5/33 E-3,
E-4).
E. In accordance with the Steel Products Procurement Act, Contracted
organization certifies steel products used or supplied in the performance of a contract
for public works shall be manufactured or produced in the U.S. unless the City grants
an exemption.
F. Contracted organization certifies that it is a properly formed and existing legal
entity, and as applicable, has obtained an assumed name certificate from the
appropriate authority, or has registered to conduct business in Illinois and is in good
standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.
G. If more favorable terms are granted by Contracted organization to any similar
governmental entity in any state in a contemporaneous agreement let under the
same or similar financial terms and circumstances for comparable supplies or
services, the more favorable terms shall be applicable under this Agreement.
H. Contracted organization certifies that it is not delinquent in the payment of any
fees, fines, damages, or debts to the City of Evanston.
IX. INTEGRATION
This Agreement, together with Exhibit A, sets forth all the covenants, conditions and
promises between the parties with regard to the subject matter set forth herein. There
are no covenants, promises, agreements, conditions or understandings between the
parties, either oral or written, other than those contained in this Agreement. This
Agreement has been negotiated and entered into by each party with the opportunity
to consult with its counsel regarding the terms therein. No portion of the Agreement
shall be construed against a party due to the fact that one party drafted that particular
portion as the rule of contra proferentem shall not apply.
In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement, and any Exhibits, this
Agreement shall control over the Exhibits. In no event shall any application or
contract form submitted by Contracted organization be part of this Agreement unless
agreed to in a writing signed by both parties and attached and referred to herein as
an Addendum, and in such event, only the portions of such application or contract
form consistent with this Agreement and Exhibits hereto shall be part hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each approved and executed this
Agreement on the day, month and year first above written.
CONTRACTED ORGANIZATION: CITY OF EVANSTON
909 Davis Street
EVANSTON, IL 60201
By ________________________ By:________________________
Its: ________________________ Its: _______________________
FEIN Number: _______________ Date: _____________________
Date: _______________________
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Executive Director
36-3351193
1/15/2026
City Manager
Approved as to form:
Alexandra B. Ruggie
Corporation Counsel
01 / 27 / 2026
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EXHIBIT A – Project Milestones and Deliverables
This EXHIBIT A to that certain Consulting Agreement dated January 1, 2026, between the
City of Evanston, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois, 60201(“City”) and the Metropolitan
Tenants Organization (“Contracted organization”) sets forth the Commencement and
Completion Date, Services, Fees, and Reimbursable Expenses as follows:
I. COMMENCEMENT DATE: January 1, 2026
II. COMPLETION DATE: December 31, 2026
III. FEES: up to $91,600: $46,800 for basic services; up to $44,800 for additional
services
● $36,800 for basic scope of work, including $10,000 legal retainer fee for
Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing billable/reimbursed for additional
services (mediation, tenant organizing, and legal services)
● $44,800 billable/reimbursed for additional services (mediation, tenant
organizing and legal services, customer-facing web functions), as provided.
Including up to $18,000 to fund a client-facing web application development.
This web application will be an automated chat service available 24/7 to
answer housing rights-related questions. Up to $1,800 for the extension of a
walk-in hour pilot program to provide one-on-one, in-person assistance to
residents, if needed.
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Doc ID: f639d1faf155e14286301e19914457c9843bdca9
IV. PROJECT MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES:
● Operating a free hotline for landlord-tenant inquiries Monday through Friday
from 1-5 pm; for callers who call outside of those hours, MTO will return all
calls within two business days. MTO offers a texting option for tenants and/or
landlords who call outside of normal hotline operating hours.
● Responding to landlord-tenant inquiries received through the City’s 311
system and the MTO hotline, estimated at 30-40 cases per month.
● Delivering information and assistance to landlords and tenants, including help
with writing letters, strategies on how to resolve issues through negotiations,
and referrals to other sources.
● Working with the City to maintain current landlord-tenant information on the
City’s and MTO’s websites.
● Coordinating at least four (4) trainings for Evanston tenants and landlords.
● Working with the City's Property Standards Division to provide at least one
two-hour training for Evanston landlords and/or property managers
● Mediation between landlords and tenants would be provided at the hourly rate
per the fee schedule (Exhibit A) and billed based on actual hours and
applicable reimbursable costs. Tenant organizing would be provided at the
hourly rate per the fee schedule (Exhibit A) and billed based on actual hours
and applicable reimbursable expenses per building case for buildings where
tenants face common problems such as foreclosure, poor maintenance,
building security concerns, health hazards, etc.
● Legal representation for low-income Evanston tenants to avoid displacement
through evictions and illegal lockouts would be provided and billed at $200 per
hour, plus any reimbursable expenses associated with these cases.
● Up to $18,000 to fund a client-facing web application development. This web
application will be an automated chat service available 24/7 to answer housing
rights-related questions. The chatbot will provide contact information for MTO
and LCBH should further assistance be needed.
● Up to $1,800 for the extension of a walk-in hour program to provide
one-on-one, in-person assistance to residents, if needed.
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Doc ID: f639d1faf155e14286301e19914457c9843bdca9
Contract with - Metropolitan Tenants Organization MTO
MTO_2026_Professi...For_Signature.pdf
f639d1faf155e14286301e19914457c9843bdca9
MM / DD / YYYY
Signed
01 / 27 / 2026
10:39:43 UTC-6
Sent for signature to Alexandra Ruggie
(aruggie@cityofevanston.org) and Luke Stowe
(lstowe@cityofevanston.org) from lthomas@cityofevanston.org
IP: 50.171.242.186
01 / 27 / 2026
10:39:49 UTC-6
Viewed by Alexandra Ruggie (aruggie@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 50.171.242.186
01 / 27 / 2026
10:39:58 UTC-6
Signed by Alexandra Ruggie (aruggie@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 50.171.242.186
01 / 27 / 2026
18:42:21 UTC-6
Viewed by Luke Stowe (lstowe@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 76.136.85.191
01 / 27 / 2026
18:43:03 UTC-6
Signed by Luke Stowe (lstowe@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 76.136.85.191
The document has been completed.01 / 27 / 2026
18:43:03 UTC-6