Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this evening’s Evanston City Council Administration and Public Works Committee meeting.
Meeting called to order at 5:47 p.m.
Minutes approved. Payroll approved.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
Bills approved.
17-foot Boston Whaler boat for the aquatic camp program $31K. Approved.
Fire Station #4 renovation project. $83K. Approved.
Street crack sealing program contract from Denler Inc. of Mokena for $55K. Approved.
Elevator inspection contract with Citywide Elevator Inspection Services of Chicago for $68K annual fee. The contract term is three years with two one-year renewal options.
Owner of company that has city’s current elevator inspection contract objects, saying the winning bidder doesn’t meet the requirements for experience set forth in the city’s request for proposals.
Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, says current contractor’s bid was higher than the winner. Says workers for winning bidder appear to have considerable experience.
Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons says can postpone a decision. Asks aldermen to provide questions for review — experience, other municipalities serviced.
Alderman Coleen Burrus, 9th Ward, says winner priced some items at zero — which seems overly optimistic. Worried may end up getting change orders from them in the future.
Steve Griffin, community and economic development director, says will put together a response to the issues raised this evening.
Item held to next committee meeting.
Chlorine Feed System engineering contract $69.5K Approved.
Sewer Rehab Contract with SAK Construction of O’Fallon, Mo. for $294K. Alderman Rainey expresses doubts about whether out-of-state company can handle the job. Approved.
Spot Line Sewer Rehab Contract with CTR Systems of Niles for 444K. Approved.
Natural gas purchase from Twin Eagle Resources Management for purchase of natural gas for 16 city-owned buildings at no more than $4.80 per MMBTU. Approved.
Community Choice Electricity Aggregation Supplier Agreement.
Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, says need to clarify the “renewable energy” concept.
Also notes that the difference between the ComEd price and the price the city is getting is a lot less for the coming year than it was for the first year of the program.
Stoneback says Friday ComEd announced its price Friday and it as a lot less. Says one of its legacy contracts from five years ago dropped off, and new price is much lower than what is was last year.
Estimated last year that average home would save $250 a year … for coming year looks like could be as little as $19 — unless ComEd gets the rate increase that its seeking for transmission costs. Says savings could be $40 to $45 more than the $19 that the city’s currently projecting.
Stoneback, for coming year all residents will be in the aggregation deal, unless they opt out.
Price from the recommended bidder — Verde Energy USA Illinois, LLC is for $0.05192 per kilowatt hour on a 12 month contract. Approved.
631 Howard #2 lease renewal. Approved.
Old Neighborhood Grill liquor license elimination. Approved.
Liquor license for Table Nine at 1307 Chicago Ave. Approved.
Easement agreement with ComEd for electrical facilities at the Municipal Service Center. Approved.
Skate Park discussion issue.
Alderman Burrus questions why would need full-time staffer at a skate park — says is similar to a playground — which isn’t normally staffed.
Also asks whether have considered partnering with the Ridgeville Park District for the skate park.
Parks Director Doug Gaynor says staffing evolved in the previous skate park, because of issues that developed over time.
Says when at previous position in California created skate park there and didn’t have it staffed.
If things go “in one direction” may need staff. Was a lot of conflict with people hanging out. Conflict among bikes, skateboard and rollerblades. Eventually had to have someone there to help with the conflict.
If there’s a club created, could monitor themselves. Wants to check with legal department about liability issues.
Has talked a bit to Ridgeville, but hasn’t had full discussion with them yet, Gaynor says.
Burrus suggests new Ridgville board may have more favorable attitude toward the project.
Alderman Jane Grover, 7th Ward, suggests “crowd funding” approach that’s been used in Portland and other communities.
Rainey says Skokie is building a big complex at Oakton and McCormick. Gaynor says Skokie ran into community opposition and couldn’t find a satisfactory location for a skate park. Wilmette has built one, though, he says.
Rainey suggests that there’s an area at the far west edge of the Jewel-Target shopping center is open and owned by the MWRD. (That land technically is in Skokie.) Gaynor says he’ll talk to Skokie officials about that.
Laura Beth Nielsen, skate park advocate, says the kids in her family, and her husband, are active skateboarders, and there’s no legal place to skate here, except on the sidewalk — and sidewalks are a major site of injuries for skateboarders. Says there are a lot of options for a park. Says there are a lot of myths — but no evidence of deviant behavior associated with skateboarding.
Street projects — Public Works Director Suzette Robinson discusses plans for street repair work this year.
Meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.