Here’s a recap of our live coverage of tonight’s Evanston City Council meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
A packet with information on the agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 6:33 p.m.
Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward is absent. All others present.
Mayor Steve Hagerty announces the death in the line of duty of Staff Sgt. Joseph Edward Howard, a 2009 graduate of Evanston Township High School.
Mayor also issues proclamation for April as Fair Housing Month and April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day.
City Manager Erika Storlie announces key promotions.
City Clerk Devon Reid says turnout in the election on April 6 was about 25% or 13,000 voters — lower than four years ago. Says highest turnout was in the 6th Ward and the lowest in 5th Ward.
Public Comment
11 people signed up.
Public comment ends at 7:19 p.m.
A18 – Honorary Street name “‘Miss Dorothy’ Headd Way”
Alderman Eleanor Revelle, 7th Ward, introduces the resolution. Signs would be placed on Prairie Avenue between Grant and Colfax streets.
Headd is a crossing guard at Kingsley School and an environmental activist and active parishioner at Second Baptist Church.
Approved 8-0.
SP1 -2021 Action Plan, etc.
… for Community Development Block Grant and related federal programs.
Approved 8-0
SP2 – 2020 Budget amendment
Amendment technically increases the budget by $14.4 million to $335.1 million — but actual spending was $38.3 million below the previously adopted budget of $320.6 million. (Budget amendment is only legally required for the spending increases in certain budget categories — not for budget categories that came in under budget.)
Certain revenue sources were slahsed by the pandemic … $1.6M of sales tax … $1.2M of hotel taxes … etc.
Storlie says city is still waiting for details on guidelines for American Rescue Plan stimulus. City expects to received $45.8 million. Half of the money is expected to be available this year, the rest next year. Money has to be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.
Says bill has many other facets that could bring additional revenue.
The $45.8 million can be used to cover lost revenue and costs of responding to the public health emergency. Also other potential categories of funding including water, sewer and broadband infrastructure projects.
Approved 8-0
Consent agenda
Off consent …. A17, P2.
With those exceptions, consent agenda approved 8-0.
A17 – Settlement of Johnson, et al. v. City of Evanston et al.
Suffredin says the situation has cost the city upwards of $130K already and has been no accountability from the employee involved.
Approved 7-1. Suffredin votes no.
P2 – Special use for 2223 Washington St.
Rue Simmons says she was formerly an employee of Sunshine Enterprises, one of the potential tenants in the building.
Approved for introduction 8-0.
Call of the wards
Wynne — ward meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, April 22.
Rue Simmons — ward meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21.
City Council votes to go into executive session. Public meeting ends at 8:20 p.m.
Next Council meeting on Monday, April 26