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HomeMy WebLinkAboutActions 04.13.2026 CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS City Council Monday, April 13, 2026 Lorraine H. Morton City Hall, James C. Lytle City Council Chambers, 909 Davis Street 5:30 PM Absent: Motions resulting from City Council - Apr 13 2026 Item Item Description Motion Disposition P1. Approval of Consent Agenda Approval of the consent agenda, except for items A10, A14, A15, A18, A22, HS1, FB1, HCDC1, and HCDC2. Motion Approved – 9-0 SP1. Additional Support for Former Wesley Tenants Motion to discuss authorizing additional funding for Wesley tenants who have not achieved housing stability or self-sufficiency after two years of housing assistance as a Special Order of Business, and to direct staff to return in two weeks with data and a financial request that reflects the true need. For Discussion – 9-0 SP2. 2025-2029 City Council Goals (Priorities) Staff recommends the City Council accept and place on file the 2025-2029 City Council Goals (Priorities). Accept and Place on File – 9-0 SP3. Ordinance 30-O- 26, Amending Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 9 Motion to amend: Add 5-3-13 as stated below so that penalties apply to the entire chapter: 5-3-13 PENALTY. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less than one Motion Passed – 7-2 (No-Suffredin and Rodgers) Page 1 of 11 "Retaliatory Conduct; Civil Actions" of the City Code "Landlord and Tenant Regulations." hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each such offense. Every day a violation continues may be deemed a separate offense by appropriate finding. SP3. Ordinance 30-O- 26, Amending Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 9 "Retaliatory Conduct; Civil Actions" of the City Code "Landlord and Tenant Regulations." Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 30-O-26, amending Title 5, Chapter 3, Section 9 "Retaliatory Conduct; Civil Actions" of the City Code "Landlord and Tenant Regulations." Motion Passed – 6-3 (No-Kelly, Suffredin, and Rodgers) M1. Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 23, 2026. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A1. Approval of the City of Evanston Payroll and Bills List Staff recommends that the City Council approve the City of Evanston’s payroll amounts for the pay period from March 9, 2026, to March 22, 2026, for $3,897,907.35. Additionally, the Bills List dated April 14, 2026, totals $7,449,699.29. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A2. Resolution 43-R- 26, Approval of a Lease Agreement for Mobile Sauna Club Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution 43-R-26, authorizing the City Manager to enter a two-year lease agreement for driveway space within the Dempster St. Beach Office parking lot and the Church St. Boat Launch with Sauna Club (1629 Florence, Evanston, IL, 60201). Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A3. Resolution 44-R- 26, Authorizing the Staff recommends approval of Resolution 44-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement for an eight (8)-month renewal lease term with Mohammad Motion Passed on Page 2 of 11 City Manager to Enter into an Eight-Month Renewal Lease Agreement for Studio Space at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center with Mohammad Behroozian Behroozian. Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A4. Resolution 45-R- 26, Approval of Single-Source Purchase to Renew Subscription for Encrypted Email Services from Virtru, Inc. Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to renew a three-year subscription for support and licensing of email encryption services from Virtru, Inc (1801 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036) at a total contract value of $29,997.00. This is a single-source renewal purchase directly through the software vendor. A single-source purchase requires a two-thirds vote of the City Council. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A5. Resolution 46-R- 26, Approval of Contract Award with Garland/DBS, Inc. for the 2026 Roofing and Envelope Repairs Contract Staff recommends approval of Resolution 46-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Garland/DBS, Inc. (3800 East 91st St., Cleveland, OH) for the 2026 Roofing and Envelope Repairs Contract in the amount of $1,392,631. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A6. Resolution 47-R- 26, Approval of Contract Award with Perfect Turf Distributing, LLC for the 2026 Playground Rubber Surfacing Staff recommends approval of Resolution 47-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Perfect Turf Distributing, LLC (5540 Meadowbrook Court, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008) for the 2026 Playground Rubber Surfacing Replacements Project (Bid 26-14) in the amount of $237,800. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 Page 3 of 11 Replacements Project (Bid 26-14) A7. Resolution 48-R- 26, Approval of Change Order No. 2 to the Contract with National Power Rodding Corp. for the 2025 Sewer Structure Lining Project Staff recommends approval of Resolution 48-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 2 to the agreement with National Power Rodding Corp. (2500 W Arthington Street, Chicago, IL 60612) for the 2025 Sewer Structure Lining project (Bid 25-43). This change order will extend the contract completion date by an additional 66 days, from March 31, 2026, to June 5, 2026. There is no change to the contract amount. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A8. Resolution 49-R- 26, 2026 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for Improvement to Various City of Evanston Traffic Signals Under the Illinois Highway Code Staff recommends City Council adoption of Resolutions 49-R-26 Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code for Improvements to Various Evanston Traffic Signals. This will allow the use of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds in the amount of $1,800,000 for the 2026 Traffic Signal Improvements Project. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A9. Resolution 50-R- 26, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Landmark Contractors, Inc for 2026 Downtown Sidewalk Improvements and Gap Infills (Bid No. 26-08) Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution 50-R-26, Authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Landmark Contractors, Inc (11916 W. Main St., Huntley, IL 60142) for the 2026 Downtown Sidewalk Improvements and Gap Infills (Bid No. 26-08) in the amount of $894,618.90. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A10. Resolution 51-R-Staff recommends approval of Resolution 51-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to Motion Page 4 of 11 26, Approval of Play Equipment Purchase with Kompan, Inc. for the Chandler Tot Lot Renovations Project execute an agreement with Kompan, Inc. (605 W. Howard Lane, Suite 101, Austin, TX 78753) for the Chandler Tot Lot Renovation Project in the amount of $103,800.10. Passed – 9-0 A11. Resolution 55-R- 26, Appointing Human Resources Generalist Casey Solomon as the City of Evanston's Authorized Agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Staff recommends the adoption of Resolution 55-R-26, Appointing Human Resources Generalist, Casey Solomon, as the City of Evanston's Authorized Agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A12. Resolution 58-R- 26, Acceptance of an Illinois Enforcement Training and Standards Board Grant for $689,013.83 Staff recommends acceptance of Resolution 58-R-26, a resolution that accepts the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Law Enforcement Camera Grant for $689,013.83. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A13. Resolution 59-R- 26, Authorizing the Settlement and Release of All Claims in Michelle Ozuruigbo v. City of Evanston et al., 2023-cv-04218 Staff recommends approval of Resolution 59-R-26, authorizing the City of Evanston to issue a settlement payment pursuant to a settlement agreement and release in Michelle Ozuruigbo v. City of Evanston et al. (Case No. 2023-cv-04218). Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A14. Ordinance 31-O- 26 Authorizing the Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 31-O-26, authorizing the City Manager to sell City-owned real property located at 1805 Church Street, 1708 Darrow Avenue, and Motion to Suspend the Page 5 of 11 Sale Of City- Owned Real Property at 1805 Church Street, 1708 Darrow Avenue, and 1710 Darrow Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. 1710 Darrow Avenue, to Mt. Pisgah Ministry. The subject properties will be exchanged for equivalent property immediately adjacent, which the City will then donate for the construction of affordable housing. A two-thirds majority is required for the adoption of this ordinance.Councilmember Burns requests suspension of the rules for introduction and action. Motion to suspend the rules for A14 and A15. Rules – 9-0 A14. Ordinance 31-O- 26 Authorizing the Sale Of City- Owned Real Property at 1805 Church Street, 1708 Darrow Avenue, and 1710 Darrow Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. Motion to pass A14 and A15 for introduction and action. Motion Passed – 9-0 A15. Ordinance 32-O- 26 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Sale of City-Owned Property at 1811- 1815 Church Street Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 32-O-26, Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Sale of City-Owned Property at 1811-1815 Church Street to Housing Opportunity Development Corporation.A two-thirds majority is required for the adoption of this ordinance.Councilmember Burns requests suspension of the rules for introduction and action. Motion to suspend the rules for A14 and A15. Motion Passed – 9-0 A15. Ordinance 32-O- 26 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Sale of City-Owned Property at 1811- 1815 Church Street Motion to pass A14 and A15 for introduction and action. Motion Passed – 9-0 A16. Ordinance 33-O-Staff recommends City Council approval of Ordinance 33-O-26 Amending City Code Motion Page 6 of 11 26 Amending City Code Title 7, Chapter 10, Section 7-10-1, 7- 10-8, 7-10-9, 7-10- 10, 7-10-11, 7-10- 12 and creation of sections 7-10-13 and 7-10-14 Title 7, Chapter 10, Section 7-10-1, 7-10-8, 7-10-9, 7-10-10, 7-10-11, 7-10-12 and the creation of sections 7-10-13 and 7-10-14 to align the designation of a public park, definition, objective and permissible use of natural areas, protection of existing natural areas, the natural areas officer responsibilities, the designation of new natural areas and conservation of natural areas. Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A17. Approval of Resolution 26-R- 26 Contract Award with Fowler Services, Inc. for Demolition of City- Owned Property Located at 727-39 Howard (Bid 26- 10) Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution 26-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Fowler Services, Inc. (214 Mill Avenue, Hampshire, IL 60140) for demolition, not to exceed $112,750. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A18. Resolution 30-R- 26, Approval of Contract Award with Beritus Inc., for the Cartwright Park and Fitzsimons Park Renovations Project (Bid 26-06) Staff recommends approval of Resolution 30-R-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Beritus Inc. (1910 S. Washtenaw Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608) for the Cartwright Park and Fitzsimons Park Renovations Project (Bid 26-06) in the amount of $2,385,000. Motion Passed – 9-0 A19. Ordinance 26-O- 26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance 26-O-26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1535. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 Page 7 of 11 Assessment No. 1535 A20. Ordinance 27-O- 26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1536 Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance 27-O-26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1536. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 A21. Ordinance 28-O- 26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1537 Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance 28-O-26, To Approve the Construction of a Local Improvement Known as Evanston Special Assessment No. 1537. Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 R1. Ordinance 29-O- 26, An Ordinance Amending Evanston City Code Title 2, Chapter 9 “Emergency Telephone System Board.” The Rules Committee recommends the introduction of Ordinance 29-O-26, an ordinance amending Evanston City Code Title 2, Chapter 9, “Emergency Telephone System Board.” Motion Passed on Consent Agenda – 9- 0 HS1. Ordinance 35-O- 26, Amending City Code Title 10 to Prohibit Certain Vehicles from Parking on Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 35-O-26, Amending Title 10 to Prohibit Certain Vehicles from Parking on Roadways. Motion Passed – 9-0 Page 8 of 11 Roadways FB1. Ordinance 25-O- 26 Authorizing 2026 General Obligation Bond Issues Staff requests approval of Ordinance 25-O-26, providing the issuance of not-to-exceed $37,000,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2026, of the City of Evanston, to finance capital improvements and refinance Series 2013A Bonds, authorizing the execution of a bond order in connection therewith, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds, and authorizing and directing the sale of said bonds at public competitive sale. The bond sale is tentatively scheduled for May 2026. Motion Passed – 8-1 (No-Kelly) HCDC1. Resolution 57-R- 26, Adopting the City of Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan, Housing4All The Housing and Community Development Committee recommends that the City Council adopt the City of Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan, Housing4All. HCDC1. Resolution 57-R- 26, Adopting the City of Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan, Housing4All Table for the May 11th Regular City Council meeting Motion Failed – 3-6 (No-Harris, Iles, Nieuwsma, Burns, Rodgers, and Geracaris) HCDC1. Resolution 57-R- 26, Adopting the City of Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan, Housing4All Motion to Amend to Add: On page 52 of the Housing for All Plan, under “E. Explore Local Property Tax Relief,” add the phrase “through programs such as a Property Tax Circuit Breaker”: The City of Evanston will explore providing local property tax relief to low- and middle- income households through programs such as a Property Tax Circuit Breaker. While there are various Cook County programs that reduce residential property taxes, this could serve as an additional method to combat displacement. The first step will likely involve engaging with community members and analyzing Cook County Assessor data. Motion Passed – 9-0 HCDC1. Resolution 57-R- 26, Adopting the City of Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan, Housing4All Motion to table to the May 11 meeting and to set a deadline for councilmembers to submit proposed amendments by Monday, April 20 at 8 a.m. Motion Passed – 5-4 (No-Harris, Iles, Nieuwsma, and Page 9 of 11 Geracaris) HCDC2. Ordinance 22-O- 26, An Ordinance Creating Title 5, Chapter 10, “Property Tax Circuit Breaker Pilot Program” Motion to table to the May 11, 2026, meeting. HCDC2. Ordinance 22-O- 26, An Ordinance Creating Title 5, Chapter 10, “Property Tax Circuit Breaker Pilot Program” City Council voted 5-4 to table Ordinance 22-O-26, an ordinance creating Title 5, Chapter 10, "Property Tax Circuit Breaker Pilot Program" to the first meeting in April. Motion Failed – 4-5 (No-Harris, Iles, Nieuwsma, Burns, and Geracaris) P1. Motion to add a special order of business on the regular May 11th agenda to discuss the emergency assistance fund. 1. Property tax relief loan program Proposed Property Tax Relief Program (Deferred Loan Model) Establish a no-interest, deferred loan program to assist homeowners with property tax burdens. The loan would be secured by the property and deferred until transfer of ownership (sale or title transfer). Repayment Trigger: The full loan balance becomes due at the time of sale or transfer, unless an exception applies. Forgiveness Provisions: The loan may be forgiven if:  The property is transferred to a family member at no cost, or  The property is sold at a qualified discounted price (to be defined). For inheritance-based forgiveness, the successor occupant must:  Occupy the home as their primary residence for a minimum period of years (to be defined). Repayment Conditions:  If the above forgiveness conditions are not met, the full loan balance is due at closing.  The City’s interest would be subordinate (second position or lower) to existing lienholders.  In cases where the homeowner is underwater (i.e., outstanding debt exceeds property value), the City may not recover funds. Eligibility Framework:  Eligibility should prioritize housing cost–burdened households (e.g., those spending a defined percentage of income on housing), rather than relying solely on AMI thresholds. If AMI is used: Motion Passed – 9-0 Page 10 of 11  It should function as a ceiling for eligibility (e.g., up to 100% AMI), and  Be used to scale the level of assistance, rather than act as a strict qualification metric alone. 2. Property tax grant program Expansion of Emergency Assistance Program (Health & Human Services)  Expand the existing emergency assistance program to include property tax relief grants, funded through affordable housing resources.  Increase flexibility within the current $2,000 grant structure to cover property tax obligations. Eligibility Criteria (consistent with current program): Demonstrated financial hardship, including:  Loss or reduction of income  Death in the family  Other significant financial impacts (including substantial increases in property taxes) P1. Executive Session Motion to move into executive session to discuss City Manager evaluation. (5ILCS 120/2C Section 1) Motion Passed – 9-0 Page 11 of 11