City of Evanston

City Council Actions - 09/12/11

Posted on Tuesday Sep 13, 2011

COUNCIL ACTIONS – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

(I) Roll Call – Begin with Alderman Grover

(II) Mayor Public Announcements and Proclamations

• National Preparedness Month
• Commended Sept. 11 Remembrance

(III) City Manager Public Announcements

• Mayor and City Manager present Joellen Earl with plaque for four years service
• Donna Jezek appointed interim library director
• Sept. 18 North Shore Century Bike Race
• Engage Evanston Budget Process will be circulated in the Evanston Roundtable
• City Manager received much support for reinstating roller-skating. Interim Asst. City Manager Joe McRae in the process of seeking rental vendors or purchasing roller-skates if no vendor exists.
o Ald. Rainey CDBG would like to consider program for skates

(IV) Communications: City Clerk

(V) Citizen Comment

• Lisa Flynt, Dewey Ave.
  
  • For doggie daycares but has been significantly negatively impacted by barking noise generated. Would like surrounding community to have say in placement of business.
• Resident
  
  • Questioned use of funds spent on consultants for TIF. Would like to see more preliminary and conceptual work done by city staff.
• Jim Willinski, President of Evanston Kiwanis Club
  
  • Upcoming events
    
    • Thursday night sept 15 annual faces of evasnton at noyes cultural arts center
    • Evanston Kiwanis Peanut day Sept 23
• Kevin O’Connor
  
  • Opposes spending on consultants for TIF
• Padma RauBK Rau
  
  • Residents of 2246 Sherman Ave. Concerned about First Amendment impingement during citizen comment
• Priscilla Giles
  
  • Supports continuation of roller-skating
  • Would like to see improvements made to Fleetwood-Jourdain front entrance for handicapped accessibility
  • Would like to see Evanston retain jobs at Veolia waste transfer station.
• Resident
  
  • Resident and his dog were attacked by pit bull, had arm injured. Pit bull was later euthanized by owner after pit bull was shot by police. Urges greater owner responsibility for dangerous dog.

(VI) Consent Agenda: Alderman Rainey

(VII) Report of the Standing Committees
Administration & Public Works - Alderman Holmes
Planning & Development - Alderman Wilson
Human Services - Alderman Fiske


MEETING MINUTES

(M1) Approval of Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of August 1, 2011
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA



(M2) Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 8, 2011
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA



ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

(A1) City of Evanston Payroll through 08/14/11 $2,745,227.46
City of Evanston Payroll through 08/28/11 $2,590,693.33
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A2) City of Evanston Bills FY2011 through 09/13/11 $4,575,116.80
Credit Card Activity for Period Ending July 31, 2011 $ 101,491.79
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A3.1) Approval of Contract Award to DEM Services, Inc. for the Evanston Water Utility Asbestos Abatement Phase 2 (Bid 12-55)
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA


(A3.2) Approval of Contract Award to Mechanical Concepts of Illinois, Inc. for Service Center Air Unit Project (Bid 12-12)
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A3.3) Approval of Contract Award to Office Concepts for a Three Year Office Furniture Supplier Contract (RFP 12-31)
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA


(A3.4) Approval of Contract Award to Utility Dynamics Corporation for SNAP Lighting Project (Bid 12-53)
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA
• Ald. Rainey inquired whether CDBG funds being used were from this year or the last year. Staff responded that CDBG funds that were rolled over. The money was approved as a snap project in the previous fiscal year (during committee).

(A3.5) Approval of Contract Award to D’Land Construction for 2011 Block Curb, Sidewalk & ADA Curb Ramp (Bid 12-54)
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A3.6) Approval of Contract Award for Economic Development Consulting Services to Kane McKenna and Associates, Inc. (RFP 12-39)
APPROVED 9-0

• Ald. Burrus inquired whether this work could be performed in-house. Staff responded that in-house capacity does not exist (TIFs).
• Ald. Rainey stated that it’s important to note we haven’t made any mistakes on TIFs and outside eyes were always used. Talking to TIF consultants reveals nuances she was not previously aware of. Would much rather go with people who do this all the time than stress the staff, they have the smarts but not the capacity.
• Ald. Wilson required more information.
• Community and Economic Development Director Steve Griffin states there had been two meetings in the Economic Development Committee. Purpose of consultant is to do legwork of prelim area to decide whether TIF is appropriate.
• Ald. Grover inquired what work has already been done by consultant using the smaller preliminary grant
• Examined 6 existing TIFs to show a better cash flow analysis for CED, working with other taxing bodies to either close some tifs or continue them with in conjuction with creating new areas
• Consultant’s work primarily on two new TIFs, an added tool to toolbox of econ development

(A4) Accept and Place on File the FY2010-11 Audited Annual Financial Report
MOVED TO OCTOBER P&W COMMITTEE
 

• Ald. Rainey inquired whether the auditor was present. Concerned about transparency of City finances. Requested future presence of junior auditors during committee.
• John Rossey
  
  • Two material weaknesses on control system and approval of journal entries. Restatement of financial statements. City issued bonds to pay IMRF early retirement incentive ’07, ‘09. Cost had never been recorded.

(A5) Resolution 50-R-11, Authorizing the Lease of Space within the City’s Service Center to Evanston Community Media Center
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA
 

• Ald. Rainey
  
  • Inquired about whether there is escape clause for ECMC’s lease to current location, which expired in November. Staff did help ECMC determine but did not find answer. Steve Bartlebough, landlord is awaiting results from city council to vacate current building, pay one months rent in order to get out.
• Ald. Grover
  
  • Does this put ECMC closer to being self-funded self-sustaining
• Executive Director Bartlebough of ECMC hopes that this is the beginning of a five year transitioning period that allows ECMC to be self sustaining.

(A6) Resolution 52-R-11, Appointing a Director and Alternate Director to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County Board of Directors
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A7) Ordinance 69-O-11, Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Fleet Vehicles Owned by the City of Evanston through Obenauf Auction Service Municipal Equipment Auction
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A8) Ordinance 65-O-11, Amending Subsection 3-5-6-(O) of the City Code to Increase the Number of Class O liquor licenses from 2 to 3 to Permit Issuance to ALDI, Inc., 2211 Oakton Street
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA
 

• Ald. Rainey
  
  • Inquired Chief Eddington about shoplifting policy at Aldi, due to their small number of staff what are their reporting standards. Concerned about different store policies of shoplifting.
• Corporation Counsel Grant Farrar
  
  • Institute for board review in requesting information from retailers re: shoplifting, intent to strike licenses from the mayor.
• Ald. Braithwaight
  
  • Inquired where liquor will be placed.
• Corporation Counsel Grant Farrar
  
  • Aldi changed placement based on conversations with City.

(A9) Ordinance 72-O-11 Amending Subsection 3-5-6-(D) of the City Code to Decrease the Number of Class D Liquor Licenses from 24 to 23 Due to a Change in License Class for Peter Mills Productions, Inc., d/b/a “Chef’s Station,” 915 Davis Street
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A10) Ordinance 73-O-11 Amending Subsection 3-5-6-(C) of the City Code to Increase the Number of Class C Liquor Licenses from 25 to 26 Due to a Change in License Class for Peter Mills Productions, Inc., d/b/a “Chef’s Station,” 915 Davis Street.
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA

(A11) Ordinance 74-O-11 Amending Subsection 3-5-6-(K) of the City Code to Increase the Number of Class K Liquor Licenses from 1 to 2 to Permit Issuance to Sodexo America, LLC, 1501 Central Street
APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA