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Session 1517, Minutes Page 4 May 7, 1990 Ms. Helen Mathews, 5578 Pershing, representing NK)PIRG, asked if the solicita- tion dates for MOPI G's canvass (Consent Calendar Item #2) could be changed from May 8-28 to June 1-21. Mr. 011endorff said that would be acceptable. PUBLIC HEARING - OLIVE WEST SPECIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT The City Manager said a public hearing was scheduled at 7:30 p.m. to hear can- ments on the proposal to establish the Olive West Special Business District. An earlier proposal with the same objective has been revised (by modifying the business license fee) to meet objections raised at the earlier public hearing. He said Council may wish to introduce a bill later in the meeting that calls for an election so that those directly affected may vote on this issue. Mayor Majerus opened the public hearing at 7:59 p.m. Mr. Lester Schragin, 8227 Olive, said he spoke for several Olive Street mer- chants who felt that the City staff, rather than a District Commission, should devise a plan that details exactly what will be done in the District. He felt it was backwards to secure the money through increased fees and have the Can- mission dole it out. He also objected to the graduated tax, maintaining that the lower income business people would pay more than those who can afford to pay more. He said it should be an across-the-board tax. • Mr. Francis Phelan, 8021 Olive, said a great deal has been said on this issue and he felt it was now time to have a vote and let those involved decide. Mr. Ken Burstein, owner of Ken Barry's, 8428 Olive, said he has a small opera- tion in which he is trying to keep prices down, but when his landlord gets a tax increase, he passes them on to Mr. Burstein in the form of rent. He said he has absorbed much of the increases, but cannot any longer without increas- ing his prices. He asked if the owners will be taxed, noting that he has not seen his owner at any of the scheduled meetings on the proposed new district. Mrs. Elsie Beck Glickert, 6712 Etzel, said she has a longstanding interest in Olive Boulevard, but felt the formation of a special business district was not the route to take. She noted that for many years little could be done on Olive because the state refused to relinquish control, although that seems to have changed and the trees planted there are a fine addition. She said Olive should not be campared with the Loop, where far more money has been spent. She suggested that the City spend $50,000 a year on Olive over several years and then return to the merchants with the proposal for a special business dis- trict. Mayor Majerus pointed out that the many trees that were planted on Ol- ive were not planted by the State but came out of the City's general revenue. There were no other requests to speak, and the Mayor closed the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. REHABILITATION - 720 INTERt1IVE (hre The City Manager recommended approval of the rehablan for 720 Interdrive, , including the granting of tax incentives amounting to ten years full freezing and five years at 50%. He noted that Council's recent policy has been five }