Aldermen tabled without discussion a measure to raise salaries for themselves and top city officials at their meeting Monday night. Instead, they spent much of the evening listening to heated public comment on new AT&T utility boxes that residents say could have a negative impact on their quality of life.
Speakers expressed their concerns over construction of the new structures, saying the boxes could lead to decreasing property values, dangerous high voltage and harmful environmental consequences.
Evanston resident Sharon Solomon said she was surprised by the "ugly refrigerator box" that was constructed in her yard.
Solomon, like many other residents, said she did not know about the device until its arrival. Some were notified only by a paper doorknob hanger affixed to their doors or suspicious plywood and electrical equipment left in the street.
"I was shocked and outraged," said Solomon. "We're furious that AT&T has been given carte blanche to profit at the expense of our rights and safety."
According to Ken Cox of the Evanston Law Department, AT&T's boxes are not in violation of any municipal ordinances. All of the 99 proposed locations have approved permits from the Public Works office, and 56 have already been constructed.
Illinois law allows companies like Comcast and AT&T to construct boxes, given that they abide by the permit process. Municipalities can choose the location of the devices, but after the permit approval, AT&T is not legally bound to alter the box sites.
Mayor Lorraine Morton and several aldermen expressed displeasure about the situation, but, Morton said, "we have no control over the state regulation; there's nothing we can do."
Ald. Anjana Hansen (9th) said the box locations had been carefully chosen and that the legislation had been monitored throughout the permit process.
John Burke, director of public works, said city officials met twice weekly with AT&T for more than seven months to map out box locations based on traffic flow and other factors.
Residents scheduled a meeting for Thursday to discuss the issue. AT&T representatives have been invited.
Expecting a vote on a proposed 20 percent increase in aldermen's salary, former aldermanic candidate Junad Rizki came to Monday's meeting with harsh words reminiscent of the ongoing presidential campaign and a stuffed pig.
"The lipstick on this pig really is the approach of this committee," said Rizki. "The City Council isn't being honest with taxpayers."
Voting on the ordinance, which would increase salaries from $10,000 to $12,000 over four years, was tabled without discussion.
Also, a completed draft of the Downtown Plan is expected to be approved at the Plan Commission's Oct. 15 meeting, chairman James Woods said. The draft will then be scheduled for introduction at the Oct. 27 Planning and Development Committee meeting, although Ald. Cheryl Wollin (1st) said she expects the committee to hold a special meeting to allow enough time for citizen comment.
The Downtown Plan is intended to be a guide for commercial and residential development in the area directly southwest of Northwestern. Last spring the council voted to postpone discussion of the controversial 38-story condominium building proposed for 708 Church St. until the plan is completed and approved.
amandaluevano2007@u.northwestern.edu sarapeck@u.northwestern.edu seanwalsh2007@u.northwestern.edu
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