Chambana Sun

Urbana Committee of the Whole met Monday, Jan. 9.

The Urbana Committee of the Whole meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Here are the minutes as provided by Urbana:

CITY OF URBANA

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Monday, January 9, 2017 – 7:00 P.M.

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 400 S. VINE STREET, URBANA, IL

The City Council Committee of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, January 9, 2017, in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane Marlin; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5

STAFF PRESENT: Brad Bennett; Patrick Connolly; Bruce Cubberley; William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler

OTHERS PRESENTE: Sandra Ahten; Richard Balsbaugh; Lisa Chason; Danielle Chynoweth; James Golaszewski; Deborah Jadhav; Rohn Koester; Joyce Mast; Martel Miller; Andre Montgomery; Robert Murdock; Catherine Novak; Sarah Scott; Albert Stabler; Janet Swatscheno; Creel Umbelovèd; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Bishop King James Underwood; Geovanny Vega; Members of the Media

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

There being a quorum, Chair Madigan called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:06 p.m. *Late start due to a prior meeting.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on December 12, 2016. Alderman Smyth seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were none.

4. PUBLIC INPUT

Geovanny Vega addressed the committee and presented the board with a copy of Resolution No. 2016-12-070R translated in Spanish and informed the board that the he contacted the Refugee center and they are working on getting the resolution translated in French, Vietnamese and Russian. He is also looking for someone to translate the document in Arabic and Chinese.

The following residents expressed their concerns regarding the Times Center and the need for a homeless shelter: Sandra Ahten, Lisa Chason, Deborah Jadhav, Joyce Mast, Robert Murdock, Catherine Novak, Sarah Scott, Janet Swatscheno, Creel Umbelovéd.

Council Input: Invite Rosecrance (Sheila Ferguson) to a meeting to discuss options.

The following residents addressed the board in opposition of police funding, unless homelessness is addressed: Martel Miller; Andre Montgomery; Albert Stabler; Rohn Koester. Richard Balsbaugh addressed the board in support of additional police officers.

James Golaszewski addressed the board in support of Resolution No. 2017-01-002R about keeping the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Danielle Chynoweth addressed the board regarding social service and Township Funding with opposition in reducing Township’s General Fund.

She hopes to partner with the city once she becomes the Township supervisor.

Bishop King James and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood did not wish to speak, but asked that their position be entered into the record regarding the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues.

5. PRESENTATIONS

a. Audit Presentation

Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan introduced one of the partners from Baker Tilly, Mr. Jason Coyle, who presented the Comprehensive

Annual Financial Report.

Mr. Coyle gave a presentation focusing on the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, addressing the financial section. Mr. Coyle encouraged committee members to read the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). He also addressed the changes that were implemented by management that have improved reporting. Mr. Coyle also answered questions and concerns from the committee members.

Ms. Hannan acknowledged the work by City Accountant Sophie Pham during the audit process.

b. Ash Tree Preservation Discussion

Arbor Manager Bruce Cubberly gave a PowerPoint presentation about Ash Trees, with an inventory of existing trees and how many will be removed. Mr. Cubberly addressed the concerns of his department regarding private property ash trees and how to address the problem, with no city grant money available. Mr. Cubberly and Arborist Mike Brunk attended the Illinois Arborist AssociationSummer Conference where there were new product demonstrations showing how to save future removal of ash trees. Mr. Cubberly explained how the product works as well as the cost and financial impact. Mr. Cubberly addressed questions from committee.

6. STAFF REPORT

Community Development Elizabeth Tyler presented the December Business & Development some of the highlights and announcements are as follows:

• February 23, 8:00am-10:00am Urbana Homebuilders Breakfast, where Community Development staff will present Think Urbana residential development incentive program. It will be held at Eastland Suites, 1907 N. Cunningham Ave.

• February 28, 12:00pm-1:30pm Business and Development Luncheon – Think Urbana staff will present Urbana residential development incentive program at Attie’s Bar and Grill located at 2600 S. Stone

Creek Blvd. • April 13, 8:30a-11:00a 2017 Realtor Bus Tour leaving from Attie’s Bar and Grill, 2600 S. Stone Creek Blvd.

• Burger King on University is now open

• Marco’s Pizza on Philo Rd. is now open

• Urbana Arts Grants Program will be accepting applications until February 6, 2017.

• February 24, 2017 Contractor’s Diversity Breakfast will be hosted at El Toro on Springfield Ave.

Ms. Tyler ended report by announcing the 16th Annual Countywide Dr. MLK Jr., celebration that will take place at Parkland College from 4:00-6:00pm. For a full calendar of events go to the website at www.diversity.illinois.edu

Alderman Madigan asked for an update on the Broadway Market.

Alderman Ammons announced that in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the North End Breakfast Club and The Art Theater will be hosting The Murder of Fred Hampton Monday, January 16 from 7:00pm-9:00pm.

7. DISCUSSION – Possible Funding for Additional Police Officers

The discussion started with public comment and a memo introduction from Mayor Prussing. She explained the cost of hiring new officers and possible funding options.

Police Chief Patrick Connolly also addressed the committee with questions regarding the need for additional police officers. Chief Connolly explained that the City of Urbana is understaffed based the national ratio per capita. Discussion ensued.

Chair Marlin reminded the committee that the purpose of the discussion is to come up with a position from council to decide whether or not to add more officers. If a decision is made to add more officers then how and when to do this.

After discussion staff was given direction to prepare a budget amendment to add two officers for the remainder of the year. This will be presented at the next committee meeting on January 23, 2017.

8. Ordinance No. 2017-01-001: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance for FY 2016/17 (Miscellaneous Items)

Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan presented Ordinance No. 2017-01-001 with recommendation for approval. The budget amendment includes changes to PSEBA benefits(Public Safety Employee Benefits Act), a Grant from Illinois American Water Company to the Fire Department, added expenses to the Lincoln Avenue project which is 80 percent funded by federal dollars and rebugets to marketing expenses for the City’s new enterprise zone.

After the presentation Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-01-001 to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Jakobson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote 

9. Ordinance No. 2017-01-002: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City

Code Chapter 20 Concerning Use of Rights-of-Way (Monopoles and Towers in the Public Right- of-Way)

Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett and Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented Ordinance No. 2017-01-002 with recommendation for approval.

The purpose of this ordinance is to address an increase requests from telecommunications services for cell towers in the City’s right of way.

City Staff has consulted with other communities in Illinois and with legal staff regarding responses to recent right-of-ways tower requests and has determined that it would be in the City’s best interest to limit

their placement in the ROW.

Mr. Bennett said that no action is need at this time since this item will be brought back to the 23rd committee of the whole meeting. This will give committee members time to make changes or revisions to the ROW ordinance.

Alderman Smyth made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2017-01-002 in committee. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

Chair Marlin advised the board that it was 10:30 and a motion was needed to continue with the meeting. Alderman Smyth made a motion to extend meeting to 11:00pm. Alderman Madigan seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

10. Resolution No. 2017-01-001R: Resolution in Favor of Sustainable Funding for 911 Systems

Mayor Prussing presented Resolution No. 2017-01-001R with recommendation for approval.

Chair Marlin relinquished the chair to Alderman Madigan from 10:31pm-10:34pm to express her concerns regarding 911 system and METCAD. Discussion ensued.

After discussion Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-01- 001R to council without recommendation. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

11. Resolution No. 2017-01-002R: Resolution for Keeping the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mayor Prussing presented Resolution No. 2017-01-002R with recommendation for approval. No discussion.

Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-01-002R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Smyth seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

12. Adjournment

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Brown declared the meeting adjourned at 10:46pm.