Here's a recap of our live coverage of tonight's Evanston City Council meeting. Top items … 1571 Maple planned development approved … 1620 Central planned development introduced … tax on medical marijuana approved … and aldermen say goodbye to one of their own.
A packet with information on tonight's agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order.
Aldermen Braithwaite and Wynne are absent tonight.
Proclamation given to Alderman Coleen Burrus, 9th Ward, on her retirement from the Council … aldermen laud her work on the council since 2009. Burrus is taking a job at Princeton University in New Jersey.
Mayor remarks on city winning the Earth Hour challenge.
Mayor says it's National Fair Housing Month, National Library Week and National Volunteer Week.
Erica Storlie, acting city manager, notes Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration — and clean up Evanston event — on April 25, and the city's Tree City USA Award.
Consent agenda
Off the consent agenda:
- P4 – Zoning ordinance amendment for fences and invisible pet fences.
- P6 – 1571 Maple planned development
- P7 – Affordable housing fund contribution for 1571 Maple.
Consent agenda approved.
Fences and invisible pet fences
Fiske says she doesn't support invisible pet fences. Asks if there's a potential legal liability for city if such fences are permitted.
Corporation Counsel says anybody can sue about anything.
Rainey says she doesn't favor them either.
Mayor asks whether people who already have the fences would have to move them?
Tendam, who introduced the ordinance, says he doesn't know.
Community Development Director Mark Muenzer says would be considered non-conforming and people wouldn't have to move an existing fence.
Approved 6-1, Fiske votes no.
1571 Maple
Fiske says she's opposed to having so much parking off-site at city parking garage. Says it isn't the direction the city ought to be moving.
Wilson says sees this as an experiment — the primary factor he sees is minimizing the negative impact on the adjacent property (of having a huge parking deck on the site) and also notes the transit-oriented nature of the project.
Says the developer's affordable housing proposal is "pretty extraordinary" — in a good way.
Approve 6-1, Fiske votes no.
Affordable housing fund contribution for 1571 Maple
Rainey says it's an extraordinary agreement. But is concerned about how the $400K will be administered and by whom. Wants staff to come to council — says is very concerned about turning the money over to a not-for-profit to rehab units downtown.
Holmes says its a creative idea and happy to support it. Suggests staff talk to housing commission about next steps.
Fiske says very difficult when the not-for-profit isn't named to vote or this.
Approved unanimously.
Call of the wards
Holmes … 5th Ward meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fleetwood
Rainey … Says she's getting fed up with the council-bashing that goes on here. Says just because you hear it at the podium during public comment doesn't mean its true. Says Harley Clarke Committee has received a lot of information. Nobody's spent any money on a bowling alley. Only the contractor's group was interested in taking over the 1817 Church building. Says it comes from people who have nothing better to do than make up stories.
Burrus … congratulates Pat McCourt on re-election to Ridgeville Park District board.
Mayor … notes that Clerk Greene is ill … hope he's back soon.
Council votes to go into executive session. Public meeting ends at 9:12 p.m.
Ann Rainey’s comment about citizens
Rainey … Says she's getting fed up with the council-bashing that goes on here. Says just because you hear it at the podium during public comment doesn't mean its true. Says Harley Clarke Committee has received a lot of information. Nobody's spent any money on a bowling alley. Only the contractor's group was interested in taking over the 1817 Church building. Says it comes from people who have nothing better to do than make up stories.
I suspect most citizens who speak at council would be happy to have Ann join Colleen and retire from the council! Only a few of her 8th ward friends would be sad. Maybe Ann can find something better to do with her time?
Ann giving away of our money for wine and cheese bar, patios and other items on Howard street, has not been in the taxpayer interest. She is correct No one spent any money on a bowling alley YET but how much is she going to be asking the taxpayers to subsidize her newest misadventure on Oakton? Remember she wanted to spend $2 million dollars on a theatre on Howard when the group produced a few hundred thousand a year in revenue.
Got my vote — but Ann still has got your goat
Is that you, Junad?
Ann Rainey works tirelessly for economic development to bring more economic vitality to the 8th Ward. She has gone to court with neighbors to make certain that the judicial system is aware that we care about and are watching what happens to those who commit crimes in our area. She has taken a stand against the slum landlords so fewer dangerous properties exist now. She maintains a web board for citizens (not just 8th Ward residents) to raise issues, ask questions, seek help and offer suggestions. For all that and more, I support her.
Through all of her efforts, she demonstrates that the 8th Ward is not a throw away and neither are its residents. For that, I thank her.
Do I agree with her on everything? No. But I admire her hard work and her results.
And I agree with her — there are regulars who take the podium at the City Council meetings appear to have little to do but spin tales of conspiracies and intrigue. And they do like to hear themselves talk.
I would like to see any of those regular "negative Neds and Noras" volunteer to do something positive to advance their pet causes. It's their right to blather on and on, I guess, but I would have more respect for them if they had some community-based work and/or positive community-based results to their credit. Maybe volunteer for a City committee or a local school project, organize a clean-up detail for the neighborhood, mentor students. Or maybe run for City Council and present your ideas at a candidate's forum.
Junad did run for office
TheOriginalAnon, I think that you are basically correct about the cast of characters who seem to show up at EVERY council meeting for citizens' comment.. I think that they are just wasting time repeating the same nonsense every week, and nobody takes them seriously.
But one thing that you said about "Concerned Evanston Resident" (Junad ) is a little unfair:
"Maybe volunteer for a City committee or a local school project, organize a clean-up detail for the neighborhood, mentor students. Or maybe run for City Council and present your ideas at a candidate's forum. "
Junad did run for alderman in 2005 and 2001, and he ran for school board in the 1990's. . And as for 'present your ideas', one thing that Junad has done repeatedly over the years is present his conspiracy theories…I mean 'ideas'…at various public forums, whether it is public meetings or Evanston Now or Ann Rainey's Message Board. We don't need to hear more from him.
I rarely agree with Junad but
I rarely agree with Junad but, as long as I remember, the city council has ignored any questions Junad has put to them. That includes Ann Rainey.
Transparency is really lacking in our city council. There appears to be little or no debate in council meetings which indicates that most agenda items are decided outside the presence of the ears of Evanston citizens.
Junad may sound silly repeating some things over and over, but maybe it is because Evanston government doesn't want to answer him..
Remember when Wally was going to come clear on 8th Ward patiogate costs but only gave a total cost without the details.
Thanks for the info — not addressing any particular person
Thank you for the information about past elective office attempts. I was referring, in general, to the cast of characters who show up at virtually every council meeting and blather on about the same things, including various conspiracy theories. Not singling any one of them out for my comment that they would benefit from getting involved (as in devoting their time and talents) in community, school or city projects now.
Some recent community, school or city involvement or action would add credibility to their arguments that they "know" what problems face Evanston and how those problems can be addressed.
conspiracy theories
Both of you post here quite a bit, should we assume you like to read you own posts?
You are labeling speakers at council. Rather than addressing any issues, you are like Ann, just trying to label people. Ann as a rule never addresses what people say, but attacks them at a personal level.
Mr Enquring mind, I have never seen a post from you with any real, thought on a city issue.
Please explain what "conspiracy theories" theories you believe people are speaking on at council?