Here’s a recap of our live coverage of Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Evanston City Council Administration and Public Works Committee.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
A packet with information on the agenda items is available online.
Ald. Devon Reid (8th) chairs.
Consent agenda
Items A1, A2, A3, A5 and A7 removed from consent agenda.
Rest of items through A11 approved on consent agenda.
A1 – Payroll and Bills
Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) questions $7,600 monthly expense for Robert Crown Center security.
Interim Deputy City Manager Luke Stowe says the cost relates to the late hours the center is open.
Approved.
A2 – Christy Webber landscape contract
Split vote 2-2. Reid and Kelly vote no. Advances to Council with no recommendatoin
A3 – Herrera Landscape park mowing services
Reid says he wanted to not mow parks in May.
Interim Deputy City Manager Dave Stoneback says lack of mowing in 2019 (because of rainy conditions) brought out 30 complaints from residents. Especially from people renting picnic shelters.
Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) says would like to consider it for next year, but move forward with mowing in May this year.
Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) says parks scheduled for mowing are programmed with events — shouldn’t change the plans for this year. Says any change should be built into the bidding for contracts, to work on it for next year.
Contract approved.
A5 – Suburban Tree Consortium contract
Nieuwsma asks how fits in with CARP goals.
Michael Callahan, who has been city arborist (and was just named assistant parks and recreation director), says contract calls for 216 trees to be added. But city loses about 340 generally much larger trees each year. CARP goal is to add 500 trees per year.
Callahan says it requires more maintenance and “training” the new trees for proper growth — and that requires more staffing.
Says ideally need more resources for planting and for maintenance.
Callahan says that if there’s a dry spell, the city may lose 20% to 30% of newly planted parkway trees — largely because they don’t get watered enough.
Approved.
A7 – Simple Recycling textile collection contract
Brian Zimmerman, solid waste coordinator for the city, says there’s no cost for the city to promote the program. It’s another convenience option for residentes.
Approved.
Items for consideration
A12 – Five-Fifths TIF amendment
Paul Zalmezak, economic development manager, says it’s a technical amendment to remove two properties that were included in the TIF in error. (They actually are in a different TIF district.)
Approved.
A13 – Amendment to parking restrictions
Will let persons with passenger cars that are identified as commercial vehicles get permits to park in residential areas overnight. Also would apply to vehicles with fleet (“FP”) plates.
Reid says wanted to have pickup trucks and vans with “B” plates included, but that was previously removed from the ordinance.
He also doesn’t want there to be a fee charged for the passenger and “FP” plate holders.
Burns says need more time to consider the issue.
Reid wants to specify that rideshare vehicles aren’t “commercial” vehicles.
Burns moves to table until the next meeting.
Reid also wants the “B” plate issue addressed.
Ordinance is tabled
A14 thru A21 – Vacating and selling segments of an undeveloped alley
It’s east of Central Park Avenue and North of Payne Street.
Approved.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Planning and Development Committee meeting to start at 5:55 p.m.