City Council Actions - October 25, 2010
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
(SP1) Discussion of FY 2009-10 Audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Support
ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS
(A2) City of Evanston Bills through 10/26/10 $1,892,444.58
Action: PASS
Comments: Ald. requested that representative of Connections for the Homeless appear before the Committee to answer questions about how the HPRP Direct Assistance funds are allocated. Staff explained that the payments that appear on the bills list are for the security deposits, rents and utilities of those who are able to pay for a portion of having a home but not for the chronically homeless. Ald. requested that the City of Evanston try to obtain scholarships or reduced rates for employees to attend Leadership Evanston. The City Manager stated that the number of employees sent to Leadership Evanston was reduced from 6 annually to 1 annually.
(A3.1) Approval of School District 65 Rock Salt Agreement 2010/2011
Action: PASS
(A3.2) Approval of School District 202 Rock Salt Agreement 2010/2011
Action: PASS
(A3.3) Approval of Amendment to the Agreement for the Purchase of Natural Gas for 13
City Buildings
Action: PASS
(A3.4) Approval of Main Library Building Automation System Maintenance Agreement
with Siemens Building Technologies
Action: PASS
(A3.5) Approval of Renewal of the Contract with Citation Management for the City’s
Parking Ticket Management and Payment Processing Functions
Action: PASS
(A4) Ordinance 82-O-10 Amending the City Code by Enacting a New Title 8, Chapter 26,
“Solid Waste Transfer Station Fee”
Action: INTRODUCED
Comments: Ald. expressed concern about Veolia passing the fee on to Evanston small businesses. Staff stated that Veolia was required by contract to provide the same rate for the next 6 years. Ald. discussed the amount of the fee and questioned the calculation of the fee. Ald. suggested that additional research be done to measure the impact of the Veolia transfer station and the amount of the fee.
(A5) Ordinance 83-O-10 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Fleet Vehicles
Action: INTRODUCED
(A6) Ordinance 84-O-10 Amending the City Code to Establish a Three-Way Stop at Greenwood Street and Grey Avenue
Action: INTRODUCED
(A7) Ordinance 86-O-10 Amending Various Sections of Title 10, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Chapter 11, “Traffic Schedules”
Action: INTRODUCED
(A8) Ordinance 50-O-10, Amending the Code to Add Subsection 1-17-1(D) “Minority,
Women and Evanston Business Enterprise (M/W/EBE) Goals, and to Amend the
Local Employment Program Contract Requirement
Action: PASS
(A9) 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
(A10) Ordinance 72-O-10, Increasing the Number of Class D Liquor Licenses from 23 to
24 (“Donatella Mediterranean Bistro,” 1512 Sherman Avenue)
Action: PASS
(A11) 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: PASS
Comments: Ald. requested that staff provide a report on how the Affordable Housing Fund
can be used including restrictions and requirements.
(P2) Ordinance 77-O-10, Amending Various Portions of the Zoning Ordinance Relating
to Religious Institutions in the Business, Commercial, and Downtown Zoning
Districts
Action: INTRODUCED
Comments: Ald. stated that having multiple churches in commercial districts, particularly in TIF districts, is detrimental to business growth because churches are normally closed during peak business hours. In addition Ald. stated that allowing property tax exempt entities such as churches to exist in business districts is out of synch with the city’s economic development vision.
(P3) Ordinance 78-O-10, a Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow Animal
Hospitals as Special Uses in All Business and Commercial Districts
Action: INTRODUCED
Comments: Ald. proposed that staff define “animal sitting” and to treat the activity separately from animal hospitals.
IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(PD1) Update on 555 Howard Street (Marathon Gas Station)
Comments: Staff indicated that police calls had significantly decreased since the enforcement of a 7pm closing time. Ald. stated that in the past the establishment was open 24 hours which encouraged criminal activity in the area.
HUMAN SERVICES
(H1) Ordinance 85-O-10 Amending Various Sections of Title 9, “Public Safety,” Chapter
4, “Dogs, Cats, Animals, and Fowl,” of the City Code
Action: HELD IN COMMITTEE
Comments: Ald. requested that the Human Services Committee flesh out the amendment
before presenting it to the full Council.
RULES COMMITTEE
(O1) Resolution 56-R-10, Amending Rules 9.4, 9.6, and 16.5 of the Rules and
Organization of the City Council of the City of Evanston
Action: PASS
(O2) Ordinance 79-O-10, Amending Section 5-6-2 of the City Code to Add an Alderman
to the Housing Commission
Action: INTRODUCED
CITIZEN COMMENT
Citizen commented in support of reducing the Local Employment Program threshold and on the need to remedy discrimination by providing opportunities for full and equitable participation of minority, women and Evanston – owned businesses.
Citizen commented in opposition to amending the recently adopted “chicken ordinance” and stated that the current ordinance is a result of a year-long process and frequent modifications would be confusing to citizens.
Citizen spoke in favor of modifying the Lakefront Master Plan and pursuing economic development projects such as a convention center, resort hotel and marina.
Citizens expressed opposition to the elimination of the inclusion specialist in the proposed budget. Staff stated that 3 staff members are currently responsible for inclusion and ADA and that the 2 staff members proposed would receive additional training that would assure that they could satisfy the needs of the community.
A representative from Veolia spoke against the transfer station fee and that the transfer station fees in other municipalities were by agreement and not by ordinance.
Citizen requested that the city provide a cost analysis and detailed report of the costs of implementing 311.