Chambana Sun

Urbana Committe of the Whole met Monday, Jan. 23.

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 23, 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 23, 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; Dennis Roberts; Charles Smyth; Phyllis Clark;

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Laurel Lunt Prussing, Mayor

STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Boys; John Collins; Patrick Connolly; Kevin Garcia; Elizabeth Hannan; Natalie Kenny Marquez; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler

OTHERS PRESENTE: Tommy Askins, Sr.; Tom Burgin II; Dr. Rebecca Ginsburg; Jacqueline Hannah; Ben Joselyn; Dan Maloney; Martel Miller; Jeff Putney; Bishop King James Underwood; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Members of the Media

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

There being a quorum, Chair Charles Smyth called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:01 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from the meeting held on January 9, 2017. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were none.

4. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

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.

Jeff Putney did not wish to speak but asked that his opposition to hiring more police officers be entered into the record.

Mayor Prussing read an email from Esther Patt in support of hiring more police officers.

Mayor Prussing read input cards from Deborah Jadhav and Danielle Chynoweth, who were not present, but wanted to have their opposition to hiring more police officers entered into the record.

Jacqueline Hannah did not wish to speak, but asked that her opposition to hiring more police officers be entered into the record.

Ben Joselyn spoke to committee about racial disparity, social welfare and the need to continue addressing those issues.

Martel Miller spoke at the time Resolution No. 2017-01-003 was presented, and stated he was would like to see the crime problems addressed and discussed by the community instead of only at council meetings.

5. Presentations

a. Market at the Square Annual Report

Marketing Coordinator Natalie Kenny Marquez presented the annual report for Market at the Square. She reported that revenues for 2016 were $103,000 and expenses were $100,000. There were about 104,000 visitors during the season, with programs for children and adults. She stated the budget forecast for 2017 will remain steady.

b. Mass Incarceration

Dr. Rebecca Ginsburg spoke to committee members about the issues of mass incarceration and racial disparity. She gave a PowerPoint presentation showing that African Americans are arrested and incarcerated at greater rates than whites. There was extensive discussion, during which Dr. Ginsburg answered questions and concerns from committee members.

6. Staff Report

Community Development Director Elizabeth Tyler reminded everyone about the age friendly survey, and encouraged those aged 50 and older to fill it out. She had some paper copies available at the meeting and said it was also available on the city website as Age-Friendly Community Survey.

Alderman Brown announced a gathering to discuss homelessness at St. Patrick’s Parish on Sunday, January 29, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. Mayor Prussing informed committee members she was at the Conference of Mayors in Washington D.C. She stated that there was discussion about what is being done in New York City in to address mental health issues.

7. Resolution No. 2017-01-001R: Resolution in Favor of Sustainable Funding for 9ll Systems – Mayor [COW 1/9/17; CC 1/17/17]

Mayor Prussing stated she met with the commission in charge of changing the law for 911 funding. The current law will expire in July 2017. She thought rather than using a fixed amount per device, a percentage should be set and that amount would change with inflation. She also asked for input and ideas for funding from committee members.

Discussion ensued. Chair Smyth suggested reducing paragraphs two, four, five and seven and then sending it to council. Motion made by Alderman Roberts to send Resolution No. 2017-01-001R to the next council meeting after reducing paragraphs two, four, five and seven. Motion seconded by Alderman Ammons and carried by voice vote.

8. Ordinance No. 2017-01-003: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance for FY 2016/17 (Two Police Officer Positions & Crime Mapping Software) – FIN

Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan presented this ordinance and addressed questions from committee members regarding the possible impact this would have on the budget. Police Chief Patrick Connolly also responded to questions and concerns from committee members.

Discussion ensued. Alderman Brown made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-01-003 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderwoman Marlin and carried by voice vote. Discussion continued.

9. Resolution No. 2017-01-003R: A Resolution Regarding the Interface Between Mental Health and Criminal Justice and Public Safety – Alderman Jakobsson

Alderman Jakobsson presented Resolution No. 2017-01-003R. He informed committee members that the county has received and is in the process of implementing a two year grant for $150,000 from the Justice Department. It is called the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Grant and is administered by Chief Deputy Allen Jones and Sheila Ferguson. It is overseen by a crisis response planning committee, with representation by the Champaign County Board, State’s Attorney’s Office, Mental Health Board, Champaign County Health Care Consumers, University of Illinois Police Department and Prairie Center. Alderman Jakobsson said he would like to modify the last part of the resolution to reflect engaging with the other entities involved in the grant. After discussion, Alderman Jakobsson moved to keep Resolution No. 2017-01-003R in Committee.Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

*Alderman Ammons left the meeting at 9:44pm.

10. Ordinance No. 2017-01-004: An Ordinance Disconnecting Certain Territory from the City of Urbana (2209 E. Perkins Road/Thomas E. Burgin II) – CD Planner II Kevin Garcia presented this ordinance with recommendation to deny it, as it could slow future development or annexations in the area. There was discussion during which Mr. Garcia answered questions and concerns from committee members.

Thomas Burgin II was present and spoke to the committee about the reasons he would like to disconnect the property from the city.

After discussion, Alderman Madigan made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-01-004 to council with recommendation for approval. Discussion continued. Alderwoman Marlin seconded the motion to send this ordinance to council. Motion carried by voice vote.

11. Ordinance No. 2017-01-005: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement with D & E Enterprises, LLC, 136 Main Street Series (Cohen Building – 136 W. Main Street) – CD

Economic Development Manager Brandon Boys presented Ordinance No. 2017- 01-005 with recommendation for approval.

Dan Maloney, developer and owner of the Cohen Building was present and answered questions and concerns from committee members.

At 10:33pm, Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to extend the meeting another fifteen minutes. Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

After discussion, Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-01-005 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

12. Resolution No. 2017-01-004R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality under the Illinois Highway Code (North Lincoln Avenue Improvements— Construction, Engineering and Utilities) – PW

Operations Manager John Collins presented this resolution with recommendation for approval. Motion made by Alderwoman Marlin to send Resolution No. 2017-01-004R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

13. Resolution No. 2017-01-005R: Resolution for Local Public Agency Amendment #1 for Federal Participation (North Lincoln Avenue Improvement Construction, Engineering and Utilities) – PW Operations Manager John Collins presented this resolution with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-01-005R to council with recommendation for approval.

Motion seconded by Alderman Jakobsson and carried by voice vote.

14. Resolution No. 2017-01-006R: A Resolution Approving a Master ntergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance – PW Operations Manager John Collins presented this resolution. Mr. Collins answered questions from committee members. Alderman Madigan made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-01-006R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Jakobson and carried by voice vote.

15. Resolution No. 2017-01-007R: A Resolution Approving a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with the National Joint Powers Alliance – PW Operations Manager John Collins presented this resolution. Motion made by Alderman Madigan to send Resolution No. 201-01-007R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderwoman Marlin and carried by voice vote.

16. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Smyth declared the meeting adjourned at 10:41pm.