Chambana Sun

Champaign City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The Champaign City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in council chambers at the city building, 102 N. Neil St.

Here are the minutes as provided by Champaign:

M I N U T E S

Champaign City Council Regular Study Session

DATE: October 25, 2016

PLACE: Champaign City Building

City Council Chambers 102 North Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820

COUNCIL MEMBERS Tom Bruno, Paul Faraci

PRESENT: Clarissa Forman, Matthew Gladney, William Kyles, Michael La Due, Greg Stock, Angie Brix ,Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS None ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager, Fred Stavins, City Attorney Alex Nagy, Civil Engineer III Eleanor Blackmon, Assistant City Engineer Environmental Richard Schnuer, Finance Director

OTHERS PRESENT: None

TIME STARTED: 7:07 p.m.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

WEST WASHINGTON STREET, BONEYARD CREEK, AND GARDEN HILLS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING PLAN [SS 2016-052]

Staff Presentation: Engineer Nagy’s and Engineer Blackmon’s presentation included the following topics:

• Background Information

• West Washington Street Drainage Improvement Project

• Garden Hills Drainage Improvement Project

• Boneyard Creek North Branch Improvement Project

• Proposed Project Management Calendars

Director Schnuer’s presentation included the following topics:

• Overview of Plan

• Debt Financing Plan

• Proposed Debt Issuance - IEPA Loan - General Obligation Bonds - Stormwater Management Fund

• Drainage Improvements Financing Plan Scenario B

• Alternative A – Continue Current Revenue Policies

• Alternative B – Includes Revenue Increase

• Forecast of Funds Available for Debt Service for Drainage Projects

Mayor Feinen noted representatives from MSA Professional Services, Garden Hills project; Farnsworth Group, Boneyard project, and Clark Dietz, West Washington project, were in attendance, and thanked them for being available to answer questions.

(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 incorporate Council input into the drainage improvement plans for West Washington Street – Phases 2 and 3, Boneyard Creek North Branch, and Garden Hills, and proceed with the drainage improvement plans’ next steps for West Washington Street – Phases 2 and 3, and Boneyard Creek North Branch, and develop financing alternatives to provide additional revenue for the Stormwater Management Fund to implement Phase 1 of the Garden Hills Drainage Improvements, and seek City Council direction on the alternatives during the budget development process for the Fiscal Year 2017/18.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned several topics including level of flood protection; water movement; extension of the Oak/Ash detention; environmental testing; funding for the Garden Hills drainage improvements, and the project timeframe; Park District’s contribution; coordinating the Boneyard phases with the Bristol redevelopment; property acquisition costs: Boneyard versus Garden Hills; and potential issue with available contractors to do the work due to various other City projects such as MCORE and Bristol.

(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 West Washington Street, Boneyard Creek, And Garden Hills Drainage Improvements and Financing Plan:

• John Houston, 509 N. Draper

• Eric Schwalm, 2006 Garden Hills Dr.

• Zach Morrison, 3806 Sandstone Dr., president of Central Illinois Rental Property Professionals Association

• Michael Hartnett, 1705 Glenn Park Dr.

• 5th and Hill Rights Group

- Eddie Cook, 310 E. Hill - M. D. Pelmore - Jerry Lewis, 303 E. Hill

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included proud that work on the Boneyard Creek project has continued over the years; proud of staff and the City for addressing, and overcoming, drainage issues while maintaining a Aaa bond rating; drainage improvements amenities attract events hosted by area organizations, and brings nature into the intercity; thanks to the citizens for their continuous engagement; thanks to staff for all of their work; the amenities will bring a lot to the Garden Hills area; understand delaying the Garden Hills improvements; and hope Garden Hills residents understand staff is working to make the improvements happen.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to incorporate Council input into the drainage improvement plans for West Washington Street – Phases 2 and 3, Boneyard Creek North Branch, and Garden Hills, and proceed with the drainage improvement plans’ next steps for West Washington Street – Phases 2 and 3, and Boneyard Creek North Branch, and develop financing alternatives to provide additional revenue for the Stormwater Management Fund to implement Phase 1 of the Garden Hills Drainage Improvements, and seek City Council direction on the alternatives during the budget development process for the Fiscal Year 2017/18. The result of the poll was 9 ayes and 0 nays.

Audience Participation: Patrick Thompson, Veya Inc., President, 601 S. Country Fair Dr., questioned when Council will be looking at developing policy regarding minority-owned business opportunities on City projects. City Manager David noted a Study Session is scheduled for November 29th.

Council/Manager Comments: None

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 8:26 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:

• West Washington Street, Boneyard Creek, And Garden Hills Drainage Improvements and Financing Plan [SS 2016-052]

The reports are available from the City’s web site at (Council Study Session Reports), by email to CityClerk@champaignil.gov, 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://champaignil.gov/cgtvvue/city-council-videos.html.

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@champaignil.gov or by calling 217-403-8940. Video recordings are maintained permanently; audio recordings are maintained for five years.