Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this 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 about the agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 4:31 p.m.
Alderman Tom Suffredin, 6th Ward, is chairing the meeting. The other committee members are Alderman Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward, Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward, Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward and Alderman Cicely Fleming, 9th Ward.
Suspension of the rules for online meeting approved.
Minutes approved.
Public Comment
Tina Paden and Carlis Sutton say the window covering proposal for downtown storefronts should be extended to vacant residential properties.
Consent calendar
A1 – Payroll and Bills List
Approved 5-0.
Off consent agenda: A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A10, A12.
What’s left of consent agenda is approved.
A2 – Debris hauling contract
Fleming asks about MWEBE (Minority, Women and Evanston Based Enterprise) standards. Public Works Agency Director Dave Stoneback says the other municipalities involved don’t have MWEBE requirements. And the contracts don’t generally have subcontracting opportunities. Says has found bidding for the work separately has proved to be more expensive, and is not aware of any firm in Evanston that does the type of work.
Braithwaite and Rue Simmons raise similar concerns.
Contract approved 5-0.
A3 – Granular material purchase contract
Contract approved 5-0.
A4 – Ozinga Ready Mix concrete purchase contract
Fleming asks about local hiring with Ozinga.
Approved.
A6 – Extension of Phoenix Security contract
Kimberly Richardson, acting assistant city manager, says having Phoenix at the Sherman Plaza garage has helped reduce security issues there.
Says cost is substantially less than prior contract with the SP Plus parking management company.
Approved 4-1. Suffredin votes no.
A10 -Lead and copper sampling in all wards
Approved 5-0.
A12 – Storefront maintenance and window covering during vacancy or renovation
Paul Zalmezak, economic development manager, says it’s designed to improved the appearance of commercial district storefronts. Wants better look than brown paper and duct tape. Mentions Palm House on Howard, Church Street Plaza and Northwestern Medicine (at former Barns & Noble). Says bad example is former Panera Bread location.
Says need to make the place look nicer while are going through the pandemic.
Rue Simmons says same concerns exist in residential neighborhoods. Says need to hold them accountable as well. Plans to make referral about that to Community Development Department.
Approved 5-0.
Discussion item
D1 – Fire services provided to Northwestern University
Rainey repeats concerns that fire service to NU cost over $600K a year. Says everybody she talks to thinks NU should pay for fire service.
Fleming says city should be more aggressive in trying to collect from NU.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Planning and Development meeting to start at 6 p.m.