Here’s a recap of our live coverage of Monday evening’s meeting of the Evanston City Council.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 5:20 p.m.
A packet with information about the agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 5:21 p.m.
All except Burns present. Suffredin is online.
Mayor makes three announcements and proclamations.
City manager introduces presentation on the “Putting Assets to Work” report.
Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) asks whether Evanston’s share of tax exempt property (one-third of total) is typical. Told it is within 5% of what they see in every city studied.
Asks how would get outside help to assist staff with the process? Told a request for proposals process or request for qualifications process would work.
Ald. Devon Reid (8th) says likes the mapping tools they used. Poses lengthy question about relative value of property near the lake where the lake front land is, or isn’t, privately owned. Told they don’t have data yet to support that, but thinks it’s probably true. Reid says he wants to “democratize” the lakefront.
Nieuwsma asks about deepening collaboration with Northwestern University — asks about what that might look like? They talks about improving connectivity between the campus and the downtown business district, and the potential for putting some of that connectivity zone on the tax rolls.
Nieuwsma then asks about District 65 considering school closures. Asks whether should collaborate with school district about how to put those sites to use. Answer is “yes.”
Mayor Biss says he found the report very informative and provocative in a very positive way. Says have major decisions coming at us whether we like it or not — and the report provides thoughtful and creative potential solutions.
Ald. Eleanor Revelle (7th) asks the city manager what the next steps are?
City Manager Luke Stowe says there’s a grant application due on May 10 that could fund some of the additional staffing, etc. to move forward with the project.
Ald. Juan Geracaris (9th) moving forward “immediately” — what’s that actually mean?
Stowe says there would be several months of community engagement — assuming the city gets the grant — before actions would be taken.
Reid says don’t want to just file this report away — should take action on it. Asks if there’s a committee it could be referred to.
Kelly just received the packet, needs time to review it. Not sure whether should apply for the grant. Haven’t spent enough time doing due diligence analysis on it.
Biss says there are a lot of big decisions ahead of us.
Public comment
Three minutes each.
Special order of business
SP1 – Noyes Center building feasibility report
Lara Biggs, city engineer, presents report.
Says it has been used predominantly as an “art incubator” with studios for artists.
Recaps facilities issues — with total cost of $175M to $215M.
Discusses capital cost (the cost of initial installation an lifecycle cost (adding in operations, maintenance, rebates/grants and energy savings).
Cost for HVAC solutions range from $12M to $16M. Also LED lighting for $2M and other additional needs. End up with total cost of nearly $23M (in 2023 dollars).
Says could start the project in 2025 and have most of the work one by 2027.
Audrey Thompson, parks and rec director, says artists at Noyes aren’t really new. Says its a lively home of 23 tenants, 21 of whom are Evanston residents. Artists provide about $300K a year in rent and nearly $50K in community engagement benefits.
Kelly says she can’t say enough about the building.
Murphy Monroe of Actors Gymnasium says the facility is a gem and “we must protect it.”
Several other tenants speak in support of the Noyes facility.
Kelly pushes for spending money on this project.
Nieuwsma says she appreciates the cultural benefit of the Noyes Center. Says his kids went through the circus arts program. Says community needs to invest in the arts.
Says city gets $467K in revenue annually from the building.
Asks staff how soon need to make the decision — given all the other projects? Could kick the can down the road another year or two?
Biggs says can pause perhaps for a couple years — but will need to take action within three to five years.
Depends on how the HVAC fails. To do an HVAC project like this you’re doing a lot of impact to the existing walls and ceiling. If you’re doing those things — then some of the other changes — like the ADA work — are actually simpler because have contractors already on scene.
Ald. Krissie Harris (2nd) says Noyes has a special place in her family — daughter has been in plays there.
Ald. Eleanor Revelle (7th) says the big picture is Noyes plus the Civic Center and Police Fire Headquarters. Asks doesn’t want to make a decision about Noyes without considering those other projects and how will pay for all of it.
Kelly wants to spend the money on HVAC and electrical now. Claims that would be just $4M to $5M.
Consent agenda
Off consent: A3, A6, A13, A16, A21, A26, A33, A34, A35, A37, A38, A39.
Suspension of the rules for A41, A42, A43, P2, so can introduce and adopt tonight. (So they’re not off consent.)
Consent agenda minus the items removed passes unanimously.
A3 – TERRA Engineering contract for CIP construction engineering for $343K
Biggs says city is short of in-house staff so need to hire out the work.
Says some of the positions have been vacant for two years.
City manager says there’s a nationwide shortage of civil engineers and that makes recruiting very difficult.
Contract approved 8-0.
A6 – Brightview contract for business district maintenance services
Kelly wants to bring the work in house.
Reid wants it in house as well.
Approved 8-0.
A13 – Civic Center and Police/Fire HQ relocation study
Amended in committee to include a community survey.
Approved 8-0.
A16 – Easement agreement with NU for underground telecom system
Approved 7-0-1. Geracaris abstains.
A21 – BMO Harris credit card activity
Approved 7-0-1. Suffredin abstains.
A26 – Garland/DBS contract for roofing and envelope repairs, $595K
Approved 8-0.
A33 – Beach Chair and bike rentals at Clark Street Beach
(Third recommendation in the packet.)
Kelly says her constituents don’t like this plan.
Approved 7-1. Kelly votes no.
A34 – All-Bry Construction contract for Independence and Larimer parks renovations
Uses option 1 in the proposal.
Approved 8-0.
A35 – Participatory Budgeting CARE Collective Program
Approved 8-0.
A37 – Honorary street name sign for Oliver Ruff
Dobson Street between Grey and Hartrey avenues.
Approved 8-0.
A38 – Hoffman House Catering contract for senior meals
Approved 8-0.
A39 – Lease agreement second amendment with 633 Outpost LLC
Reid says the city has had some issues with collecting rent from this business owner. Says great food, though. This is the last amendment to the lease that he’d be supportive of.
Kelly says they’re $126K in arrears with the city now.
Approved 8-0.
Call of the wards
Wynne … joint 1st and 3rd ward meeting about the folk festival on May 7 at 6 p.m. at Dawes House.
Nieuwsma … Ward meeting Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. at Crown.
Geracaris … May 30 joint 9th, 2nd and 4th ward meeting on pedestrian and traffic safety at Crown.
Kelly … NU/City meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday regarding the temporary athletic field on the lakefront.
City Council votes to go into executive session to discuss litigation. Public meeting ends at 8:07 p.m.
“Reid says he wants to “democratize” the lakefront.”
– if Reid is referring to “accessible to everyone” in his use of democratize, isn’t the majority of Evanston’s lakefront with beaches, walking/running/biking paths, benches, picnic tables, grills, and public restrooms accessible to everyone equally? Further, Northwestern’s lakefront is also accessible to everyone as well. Once again Reid’s comments are confusing and implications filled.
“Mayor Biss says he found the report very informative and provocative in a very positive way. Says have major decisions coming at us whether we like it or not — and the report provides thoughtful and creative potential solutions.”
– when is the Mayor and City Council going to take ACTION vs. making “feel good”, obvious stating commentary with no substance? Kicking the can down the road (actually stated by Council member Nieuwsma!) has been this Council’s mode of operation during their entire tenure.
I took Reid’s “ democratize the lakefront” suggestion as, raise property taxes on those houses that are privileged enough to live there. I would agree. While it’s very nice to mention your kids attended the Actor’s Gym, or that the food at a restaurant is good but way behind in its rent, just does not sound like these discussions are serious about the business of a city council. These people should be alarmed; I’m not interested in their personal experiences.