City Council Actions - October 11, 2010
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
(SP1) Update on Lake Michigan Wind Turbine Project
Action: REFERRED TO RULES COMMITTEE (9-0)
Comments: The City Council referred the issue to the Rules Committee to consider make up of review committee to consider proposals received and make recommendations on next steps. Ald. also requested additional information about the financial feasibility and cost to the City of Evanston.
ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS
(A2) City of Evanston Bills through 10/12/10 $3,439,130.44
City of Evanston Credit Card Bills through 08/31/10 $105,079.89
Action: PASS
Comments: The Committee requested that petty cash reimbursements be used primarily in emergency situations and not for routine purchases. Ald. requested additional information about three bills: the Howard TIF fence repair, the number of tow refunds paid by the city and specifics regarding the services provided by Kathy Thomas Consulting.
(A3.1) Approval of Contracts for Automotive & Truck Transmissions (Bid 11-34)
Action: PASS
(A3.2) Approval of Second Year Renewal of Garda Armored Car Services Contract
Action: PASS
(A3.3) Approval of Free Holiday Parking in City’s Downtown Garages and Lot 60
Action: PASS
(A3.4) Approval of Yard Waste Collection and Disposal Contract
Action: PASS
(A3.5) Approval of the Single Source Purchase from Sprint/Nextel, Inc., of all City of Evanston Cellular Device Services
Action: PASS
Comments: Ald. expressed that this savings is a first step to reducing cell phone costs for the city and that additional reductions should be considered in the future. Ald. Requested that staff provide the cell phone policy as well a listing of staff cell phone numbers.
(A4) Approval of Amendment No. 2. for the Design of the Evanston/Wilmette Water Distribution System Interconnection (RFQ 08-32)
Action: PASS
(A5) Ordinance 69-O-10 Amending the Evanston City Code Title 10, Chapter 11, Schedule VIII (A) Relating to Parking Prohibited at All Times on Lincoln Street Opposite the Entrance to City’s Water Plant
Action: PASS
(A6) Ordinance 72-O-10, Increasing the Number of Class D Liquor Licenses from 23 to 24 (“Donatella Mediterranean Bistro,” 1512 Sherman Avenue)
Action: PASS
(A7) Ordinance 74-O-10, Enacting a New Subsection 3 5 6-P of the City Code, “Craft Distillery” Liquor Licenses
Action: PASS
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
(P1) Approval of Families in Transition (F.I.T.) Renewal Application
Action: HELD IN COMMITTEE
(P2) Ordinance 71-O-10, Amending Various Portions of the Zoning Ordinance Relating to the Creation of the “Micro-Distillery” Use
Action: PASS
(P3) Ordinance 70-O-10 Requiring Notice to Affected Neighbors of Proposed Cellular Antenna Installations
Action: PASS AS AMENDED
Comments: Ald. proposed an amendment increasing the distance for the required mailing from property owners within 250 feet to property owners within 500 feet of a proposed new cellular pole or tower.
HUMAN SERVICES
(H1) Township of Evanston September Monthly Bills
Action: PASS
OTHER COMMITTEES
(O1) Ordinance 57-O-10 Amending the Evanston City Code Title 7, Chapter 13, Relating to the City Sewer System
Action: PASS
(O2) Ordinance 63-O-10 Amending the Evanston City Code Title 7, Chapter 12, Relating to the City Waterworks System
Action: PASS
(O3) Approval of Funds for Dempster Dodge Business District from the Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program
Action: PASS
(O4) Approval of Façade Improvement Program
Action: PASS
CITIZEN COMMENT
Citizens commented on the importance of considering banners and streetscape design together in the city’s new banner policy, the importance of banners to neighborhood and business district vitality, and discussed the pros and cons of privatizing the service.
Citizens commented on the City’s failure to provide opportunities for Evanston based businesses and smaller contractors to participate in the NSP2 program.
Citizens spoke out in favor of the Dempster/Dodge economic development funds and pointed out the importance of visioning and marketing for the corridor.
Citizens expressed an interest in being included in the wind farm planning in a transparent participatory process including town hall meetings. Citizens requested more research on the feasibility and environmental impacts of the wind turbines.
Citizens spoke against the bus shelter contract stating that the City’s share of the profit was not adequate.
Citizens spoke out in favor of maintaining the branch libraries and emphasized the importance of the libraries to youth engagement and education.