Champaign City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Here are the minutes as provided by Champaign:
CHAMPAIGN CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
January 3, 2017
There being a quorum present, Mayor Feinen called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL-CALL: Present: Michael La Due, Greg Stock, Angie Brix, Tom Bruno, Clarissa Fourman, Matthew Gladney, William Kyles, Mayor Feinen
Absent: Paul Faraci
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: None
MINUTES: November 15, 2016 Regular Council Meeting
December 6, 2016 Regular Study Session
December 6, 2016 Post Council Study Session
CM Bruno, seconded by CM La Due, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ACTION ON COUNCIL BILLS
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Passed CB-2017-001, “An Ordinance Amending The Downtown Tax Increment Finance Redevelopment Plan To Amend The Boundary Of Said Plan And Project Area”
CM La Due, seconded by CM Bruno, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Council Members’ comments included CB 2017-001 through CB 2017-007 is an exciting way to kick off the new year as the City capitalizes on methods with proven success; extending the Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District into Bristol Park sets it up for future economic sustainability; the legend on the Revised Downtown Tax Increment Finance District map is mislabeled; and investing in Downtown, and in neighborhoods, will build commercial and residential development. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
CM La Due, seconded by CM Stock, moved to consolidate CB-2017-002, CB-2017-003, and CB-2017-004. A voice vote was taken on the motion to consolidate; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-002, “An Ordinance Approving A Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan And Redevelopment Project For The Bristol Park Redevelopment Project Area”
Passed CB-2017-003, “An Ordinance Designating The Bristol Park Redevelopment Project Area Of The City Of Champaign As A Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant To The Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act”
Passed CB-2017-004, “An Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing For The Bristol Park Redevelopment Project”
After a brief explanation of the Council Bills by Mayor Feinen, Patricia Avery, 1403 Briarwood, expressed support of the TIF district for the Bristol Park area, noting it is an opportunity for economic development in a historic African American neighborhood. CM La Due noted the positive changes spreading from the core of the City to the edges is the kind of growth everyone hopes for. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
CM La Due, seconded by CM Bruno, moved to consolidate CB-2017-005, CB-2017-006, and CB-2017-007. A voice vote was taken on the motion to consolidate; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-005, “An Ordinance Approving A Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan And Redevelopment Project For The Downtown Fringe Redevelopment Project Area”
Passed CB-2017-006, “An Ordinance Designating The Downtown Fringe Redevelopment
Project Area Of The City Of Champaign As A Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant To The Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act”
Passed CB-2017-007, “An Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing For The Downtown Fringe Redevelopment Project”
After a brief explanation of the Council Bills by Mayor Feinen, Director Knight clarified the Revised Downtown Tax Increment Finance District map, noting the labels on the map are confusing. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-008, “A Resolution Approving A Change Order To An Agreement For Legal Services (Legal Department – Clark Baird Smith LLP)”
Change Order Not-To-Exceed $17,500
New Not-To-Exceed Contract - $32,500
CM La Due, seconded by CM Fourman, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-009, “An Ordinance Adopting The Amended Curtis Road Interchange Area Master Plan As An Element Of The Champaign Tomorrow – Comprehensive Plan And Amending Section 26-1 Of The Champaign Municipal Code (PlanningComprehensive Plan Adopted)”
CM La Due, seconded by CM Stock, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Patricia Avery, 1403 Briarwood, noted the need for lighting in newly developed residential areas. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-010, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 And Chapter 37 Of The Champaign Municipal Code, 1985, As Amended To Revise Regulations Of Wireless Telecommunications Facilities In The Right-Of-Way (Streets, Sidewalks And Public Ways And Zoning)”
CM La Due, seconded by CM Stock, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, CM Brix noted people expect to be able to get the information they need from technology quickly, and questioned how that would happen in newly developed areas without cell towers. Council Members’ comments included a representative from one of the telecommunications companies has contacted various Council Members; the development of publicly owned assets has the same stewardship obligation as any other development within the City; would like to have a study session to address issues of small cell towers; appreciate being contacted prior to voting; support taking a conservative approach; adjustments to the regulation, if needed, can be made later; need to make sure that by making something illegal, it does not stifle competition in the marketplace; need time to work through concerns; and trust Legal and Planning to work with the interested parties, and to bring tweaks back to Council if they are needed for the deployment of technology. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
Passed CB-2017-011, “A Resolution Appointing Carol Meinhart To The Historic Preservation Commission In The City of Champaign”
CM La Due, seconded by CM Stock, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: The following members of the audience spoke regarding the City’s homeless community, the TIMES Center, temporary emergency shelter for the next three months, and the need for a men’s shelter:
Sandra Ahten, 801 E. Washington, Urbana
Lainey Emmons, 3444 Stoneway Court
Patricia Avery, 1403 Briarwood
Nancy Martinkus, 507 S. Willis Ave.
Antonia Herbstreit, 1014 W. Daniels
Megan Flowers, 1 O’Neil Court
Brian Dunn, 203 W. Washington, Apt. 2
COUNCIL AND MANAGER COMMENTS:
CM Fourman noted fixing the homeless problem is not as simple as writing a check or having meetings. It is going to take individuals and private entities coming together to find a solution, and the coldest months of winter are starting. CM Fourman noted she is just as involved and as passionate about finding a solution as the audience members who spoke.
CM Kyles noted the Neighborhood Services Department does a lot to address the homelessness issues, and provides Council with updates.
City Manager David noted the Administration requests a Closed Session to discuss the Performance of a Specific Employee and Pending Litigation.
VOUCHERS:
CM Bruno, seconded by CM La Due, moved to adopt Voucher No. 11 (vendor payments) in the amount of $2,094,969.68. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.
PAYROLL:
CM Bruno, seconded by CM La Due, moved to approve the payroll dated December 2, 2016 in the amount of $1,815,926.11, and the payroll dated December 26, 2016 in the amount of $1,705,403.12. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.
INVESTMENTS:
CM Bruno, seconded by CM La Due, moved to approve the investments in the amount of $2,000,000. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.
ADJOURNMENT:
CM Bruno, seconded by CM La Due, moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the Performance of a Specific Employee and Pending Litigation. A roll-call vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Glenda F. Robertson
Deputy City Clerk
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