Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this evening’s Evanston City Council Administration and Public Works Committee meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 6:06 p.m.
Minutes approved.
Payroll approved.
Bills approved.
A 3.1 Washington Street Water Main Lining Contract wtih Fer-Pal Construction USA for $150K. Approved. (Utilities Director Dave Stoneback says the lining — first time it’s been done here in Evanston — costs about 40 percent less than replacing the main.) Affects water line on Washington between Dodge and Dewey avenues.
A 3.2 OTIS Elevator Corp. renewal service agreement for $69K. Approved.
A 3.3 Sidewalk paving contract with Schroeder & Schroeder of Skokie $353K. Approved.
A 4 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant Application. Approved.
A 5 Prevailing Wage Act compliance resolution. Approved.
A 6 Ordinance allowing the sale of beer at automobile service stations. Related story. Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, says she favors the ordinance — no on-premises consumption allowed. Approved.
A7 Increase in Class D Liquor License for DMK Burger Bar & Fish Bar, 815 Noyes St.
City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz says Alderman Fiske is asking for the issue to be held until she and Alderman Delores Holmes, 5th Ward, have an opportunity to meet with the applicant.
Aldlerman Coleen Burrus, 9th Ward, says OK to hold it for one meeting but would be unfair to applicant to hold it beyond that.
David Morton, co-owner of DMK, says hoping to be able to serve just beer at the restaurant. Says this is fourth meeting have been to on the issue.
Holmes says the other meetings — other than the liquor control meeting — were for opening the restaurant — not the liquor license.
Alderman Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward, says he’d heard that was asking for beer wine and liquor license.
Morton says his other restaurants are much larger and have full bars. Says for this, smaller, location in Evanston thinking only of offering five or six craft beers.
Holmes says Class D license would permit sale of all types of liquor.
Rainey says made a bunch of amendments to the liquor ordinance. Says should have more differentiation in the ordinances to permit just beer and wine service versus all alcohol. Suggests reconsideration.
Matt Doherty, 2122A Maple Ave., says there’s a great deal of concern about having a liquor license issued on Noyes. Says most neighbors don’t want the liquor license issued.
Barbara Janes, 802 Colfax St., also opposes liquor license — says once that door is open … don’t know how can limit just to beer.
Says the current Class D license doesn’t require buying food.
Says if DMK gets license, then D&D Dogs and Rolling to Go will be right behind them.
Burrus says Noyes Street Cafe serves alcohol and D&D grocery sells beer and wine as package store.
Alderman Judy Fiske, 1st Ward, (just arriving at the meeting) says DMK at SPARC when were seeking to open the restaurant said weren’t planning to serve liquor. Then two or three months later they applied for a liquor license.
Says she doesn’t want to make life difficult for restaurant owners — but concerned that it’s a very small space — says have had continuing concerns about alcohol in the neighborhood. Looks forward to meeting that Fiske and Holmes will have.
Says concerned that the way the liquor license has recently been rewritten requires that food be available — but doesn’t require that food be served to patrons who buy alcohol.
Morton says interest in serving beer is in response to requests from customers. Says immediately adjacent there are liquor licenses.
Says their restaurants make neighobrhoods more vibrant and dynamic.
Says they’re restaurateurs, not bar-keepers. Vast majority of sales are in food
Hope will trust that will have overall favorable impact.
(Held until next meeting.)
A8 – Liquor license for Piccolo Theatre. Approved.
A9 – Three-way stop at Wesley and Seward. Approved.
Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Planning and Development Committee to start at 7:15 p.m.