Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this afternoon’s meeting of the Evanston City Council’s Administration and Public Works Committee.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
A packet with information on the agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 4:36 p.m.
Nieuwsma, Burns, Reid, and Kelly present. Reid chairs. Braithwaite absent.
Minutes approved.
Consent agenda
Removed: A2 (EPD vehicle purchases), A4 (Body camera contract renewal).
Remainder of consent agenda approved.
A2 – Purchase of seven vehicles for EPD, two for parking division
Approved.
A4 – Axon body camera contract renewal
Cost is $2.5M over five year term of contract.
Police Chief Richard Eddington says system has proven its worth to city. Says new system is significantly enhanced over what’s in current contract.
New contract includes drones. Eddington says now have only one, shared with Fire Department. Will add one new one with this contract.
Says existing drone was used for a search for a lost child along the canal. Has infrared camera ability — makes easier to see a body in the water.
Says has policy document to outline when drone use is appropriate.
Fire Chief Paul Polep says his department has used it — notably last summer when there was a search for several people along the lakefront. Says FD has used it at least 10 times since getting the first one a couple of years ago.
Eddington says the cost of the new drone is $62.5K.
Ald. Devon Reid (8th) says he’s going to vote against the drone. “Have to be very careful when put certain tools in the hands of law enforcement,” he says.
Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) says he’s comfortable voting for the drone — says the policy guidelines seem to be appropriate.
Says if there’s a policy issue — the council can address that.
Polep says drone will be the future of how the fire department sees things — sees it being used much more in the future.
Approved 4-1. Reid votes no. (Braithwaite has arrived at this point.)
It’s now 5:19 p.m.
A6 – RTA agreement for accessible bus stop conversion project
Jessica Hyink, transportation and mobility coordinator, says this will upgrades to bus stops that started on Dodge Avenue a few years ago.
$270K grant, requires $30K city match.
Approved.
A7 – Terminating limits on Third-party delivery service fees
Burns says limits were needed when they were put in place, but aren’t needed any more. If want a cap for another reason, could consider that, but this pandemic-based cap should be lifted.
Reid says may be reason in the future to consider caps on all kinds of services, but is OK with lifting this cap now.
Approved.
A8 – Sale of fleet vehicles
Approved.
A9 – Solid waste ordinance amendment regarding franchise haulers
Brian Zimmerman, solid waste manager, describes the changes (which are pretty technical).
Approved 4-1. Reid votes no (thinks it should have gone to the Referrals committee first.)
Meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.