Here’s a recap of our live coverage of Monday afternoon’s Evanston City Council Administration and Public Works Committee meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
A packet with information on the agenda items is available online.
Agenda items include approval of grant applications for nearly $4 million in federal funds to make improvements to the lakefront at Sheridan Road east of Calvary Cemetery and nearly $1.8 million in federal funds for streetscape improvements in downtown Evanston. Both programs would require a local fund match.
Meeting called to order at 4:38 p.m.
Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) chairs. Initially only Alds. Clare Kelly (1st) and Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) are also present.
Consent agenda
Off consent: A3, A6.
With those exceptions, consent agenda approved 3-0.
A3 – Connelly’s Academy Inc. contract renewal
Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) questions the cost structure of the martial arts program.
Parks Director Lawrence Hemingway says city collects the revenue for the program and splits the take with the contractor — 60% to contractor 40% to city. Says there’s no direct cost to the city.
Approved 3-0
A6 – Open Studio Project contract for Art Program at Robert Crown
Hemingway says contract cost is about $30K revenue is split 75% to contractor, 25% to city.
Approved 4-0. Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd) has arrived in time for this vote.
A8 – Easement for storm seer along McDaniel Avenue between Main and Dempster Street
Approved 4-0. No discussion
A9 – Resolution updating the city’s sexual harassment policy
In response to question from Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) Deputy city attorney says new state law requires that policy apply to staff as well as elected officials.
Says policy was drafted for the city by an outside law firm with subject matter expertise.
Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd) asks why this is coming to council for a vote rather than being addressed by city manager’s office. Notes city already has a healthy workplace policy that was handled internally by staff.
Dave Stoneback, public works director, says state statute requires city to adopt this as a resolution.
Nieuwsma says main change is that new policy applies to elected officials as well as employees.
Approved 4-0.
A10 – Authorizing submission of grant application for $3.9M in federal funding … for lakefront improvements
Approved 4-0. No discussion.
A11 – Authorizing submission of grant application for $1.76M in grant funding … for downtown streetscape improvements
Approved 4-0. Nieuwsma notes that the application doesn’t commit the city to accepting the funds or to using ARPA money for the 20% required required local match.
A12 – Changes to parking meter zones
Approved 4-0. No discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
Planning and Development Committee meeting to start shortly.