Chambana Sun

The Champaign City Council met Aug. 23 to recognize the Champaign Fire Department for receiving the highest rating possible from the Insurance Services Organization.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city: 

M I N U T E S

Champaign City Council

Regular Study Session

DATE: August 23, 2016

PLACE: Champaign City Building

City Council Chambers

102 North Neil Street

Champaign, Illinois 61820

COUNCIL MEMBERS Michael La Due Greg Stock

PRESENT: Angie Brix Tom Bruno

Paul Faraci Clarissa Fourman

Matthew Gladney Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS William Kyles

ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Fred Stavins, City Attorney

Bruce Knight, Planning and Development Director

Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager

OTHERS PRESENT: Don Elmore, Small Business Development Center, Director

Craig Rost, Economic Development Corporation, Director

Quesnell Hartmann, EpiWorks, CEO, EDC Board Member

TIME STARTED: 7:02 p.m.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Mayor Feinen read a proclamation declaring August 25, 2016 as

Police Engagement Recognition Day in the City of Champaign. The proclamation was presented

to Deputy Police Chief Gallo.

Fire Chief Ludwig noted the City of Champaign Fire Department has received the highest rating

possible from the Insurance Services Organization (ISO), a Class 1 rating. Only seven fire

departments in the State of Illinois, and 179 fire departments in the United States, have a Class 1

rating. Chief Ludwig thanked Council for their continuous support and guidance; and noted

credit also goes to Captain Glen Daniels, project manager for the evaluation.

Fire Chief Ludwig noted the Fire Department applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire

Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) earlier this year. The Fire Department was awarded a grant of $1.3M for the staffing of

six firefighters, over a period of two years. The Fire Department has also received a $200,000

grant from FEMA for rescue training.

MINUTES: July 26, 2016 Regular Study Session

CM Faraci, seconded by CM La Due, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all

voted yes.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNUAL

UPDATE [SS 2016-041]

City Manager David noted the City has a contract with the Economic Development Corporation

(EDC) to provide economic development services, and while they are a countywide agency, the

City is their most significant contributor. The City takes the partnership between the City and

EDC very seriously, and as part of the partnership, EDC is invited to address Council to provide

an annual update.

Staff Presentation: A presentation by Director Knight, Director Elmore, Director Rost, and

CEO Hartmann included the following topics:

? Background Information

? Introductions

? EDC Structure

? Attraction & Retention

? You’re Welcome CU: #YoureWelcomeCU

? Programs & Events

? Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC)

? Small Business Incentive Program (SBIP)

? Fly Champaign-Urbana: #IFlyCU

? Made in Champaign County: #MadeInCC

? In the Works

? Overview of Bridge - Champaign County’s Virtual Incubator

? Business Spotlight: II-VI EpiWorks

- Overview

- History

- Future

? Closing

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: None. The presentation was for information only.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned

several topics including clarification of ISBDC and SBIP reported data; examples of small

business needs and questions; Willard Airport’s importance and impact; value of regional

support; EDC investment; SBIP goals and targets; Champaign’s percentage of total EDC

funding; business retention visits; and updating the Strategic Plan, current benchmarks, and

future goals.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is

provided below.)

Public Input: The following members of the audience spoke regarding the Champaign County

Economic Development Corporation Annual Update:

? Terry Townsend, 2806 Rachel Road

? Tom Moore, 2510 Prairie Ridge Place

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included a request to separate the

women and minority numbers in the ISBDC reported data.

Poll: None. The presentation was for information only.

COMMUNITY COALITION SUMMER INITIATIVES UPDATE [SS 2016-042]

City Manager David noted two pillars of the Champaign County Community Coalition are

Healthy Youth and Families, and Youth Development. She also noted it is amazing how much

the community, and community agencies, have rallied around the community’s youth.

Staff Presentation: Manager Parsons’ presentation included the following topics:

? Background Information

? Collaborative County-Wide Approach

? Champaign County Mental Health Board

? Community Coalition 2016 Summer Initiatives

- Arts

- Recreation

- Education

- Leadership & Mentoring

? Community Coalition Ongoing Initiatives

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends that Council direct staff to continue

working with the Community Coalition and Coalition Executive Committee to develop and

implement Coalition priorities to address youth and community needs.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned

several topics including measurable goals; program recruitment; participation in multiple

programs; future screenings of Racial Taboo; and wish list of future programs.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is

provided below.)

Public Input: The following members of the audience spoke regarding the Community

Coalition Summer Initiatives Update:

? Sam Smith, 1810 Greendale Dr.

? Terry Townsend, 2806 Rachel Rd.

? Peter Tracy, 2016 Bentbrook Dr.

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included appreciate the specific

focus on youth; the mental health piece is critical; thanks for the variety of programs; the

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is extremely important, and making an impact;

the issues the Coalition are dealing with locally are also national issues; look forward to the CU

Fresh Start discussion; high risk boys getting the attention they need is very important; the

Coalition is doing a great job; changing one child at a time can change a whole community, and

that is being seen by these programs; impressed that real language is being used; hope to be able

to help more youth and their families; and the work being done by the Community Coalition and

its partners is respected.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to continue working with the

Community Coalition and Coalition Executive Committee to develop and implement Coalition

priorities to address youth and community needs. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

Audience Participation:

Terry Townsend, 2806 Rachel Rd, noted the Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC)

did not hold public hearings prior to the approval of a Resolution, passed by the HACC Board in

2015, on the subject of placing Section 8 recipients on eight-year term limits, effective January 1,

2016, with exemptions for three classes of people. A protest will be held at Bethel Church, every

Sunday in the month of October, until the Resolution is rescinded, and the tenants receive a

public apology. Mr. Townsend provided written information for Council, that was given to the

Deputy City Clerk Robertson.

Council/Manager Comments:

City Manager David noted City Administration is exploring ways to continue to employ SYEP

teens throughout the school year. Mayor Feinen noted the idea came from SYEP teens during a

luncheon with them.

Adjournment: CM Faraci, seconded by CM La Due, moved to adjourn. A voice vote was

taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Glenda F. Robertson

Deputy City Clerk

Additional information on this meeting is available as follows:

Staff prepares a Report to the City Council containing detailed information on each subject

discussed at Council meetings. The subjects and Study Session (SS) numbers for this Council

meeting are:

? Champaign County Economic Development Corporation Annual Update [SS 2016-041]

? Community Coalition Summer Initiatives Update [SS 2016-042]

The reports are available from the City’s web site at (Council Study Session Reports), by email

to CityClerk@ci.champaign.il.us, or by calling 217-403-8940.

Video streaming of this Council meeting is available on the City’s web site for two years at

http://ci.champaign.il.us/departments/information/cgtv-schedule-and-videos/.

Almost all Council Meetings, except Community Civic Events and sessions not held in the

Council Chambers are broadcast and recorded.

City Council Meetings are broadcast on the City’s television station, CGTV (Cable channel 5),

and are rebroadcast several times following each meeting. The schedule can be found on the

City’s web site at CGTV - Champaign Government Television.

Audio and video recordings of Council Meetings are available by email to

CityClerk@ci.champaign.il.us or by calling 217-403-8940. Video recordings are maintained

permanently; audio recordings are maintained for five years.