Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met March 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Elected Officials Physically Present: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis D. Clark

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference: None

Elected Officials Absent: None

Staff Present: Brad Bennett; Robert Fitzgerald; William Gray; Melissa Haynes; Brian Nightlinger; James Simon; Justin Swinford; Elizabeth Tyler

Others Present: Paris Baldarotta; Elderess Melinda Carr; Scott Clanin; Durl Kruse; Mark Netter; 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 Dennis Roberts called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:06 p.m. *Meeting started late due to prior meeting.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve minutes from the meeting held on March 13, 2017. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Alderman Brown made corrections on page two and page five. Motion to approve the minutes with corrections was carried by voice vote.

3. Additions to the Agenda

There were none.

4. Petitions and Communications

Mark Netter voiced his thoughts about investing money in the renovation of Lincoln Square Mall and the Landmark Hotel, and whether it would produce favorable economic results.

Elderess Melinda Carr spoke about the sewer issues in the Dr. Ellis Subdivision and the historic impact. She said she and others in the neighborhood have been gathering information concerning the issue. She said she would address the committee at a future date.

Bishop King James and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood addressed the committee at the time the sanitary sewer lateral pavement reimbursement item was presented. They stated their position on the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues and said repair of the sewer problems in the Dr. Ellis neighborhood would be much more expensive than in newer subdivisions. The expanse of the sewer laterals in the Dr. Ellis Subdivision covers a much larger area than more recently installed laterals, meaning more pavement and sidewalk area would have to be removed and replaced/repaired. The City does not currently reimburse for an area that large.

Durl Kruse spoke at the time the IDOT presentation was given. He expressed his concerns about the continuing racial disparity in traffic stops.

5. Presentations

*The agenda reflects the UBA presentation as the last, but in the meeting it was the first presentation.

Chair Roberts stated that the Urbana Business Association asked to be placed first on the agenda for presentations and Public Works personnel had no objection.

*c. UBA Presentation

UBA Executive Director Paris Baldarotta and UBA Chair Scott Clanin presented a summary of current and future initiatives of the Urbana Business Association. Ms. Baldarotta explained the benefits of membership in the UBA for businesses, which include business enrichment programs and promotional services. Membership and revenues have grown over the past two years. The hope of the UBA is that it will eventually become a self-sufficient organization.

a. 2016 Annual Sanitary Sewer Report

Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett and Civil Engineer Justin Swinford presented this report. They summarized the activities involving the 102 miles of sanitary sewer and 142 miles of storm sewer over the past year. Those activities included basement back-up reports and flooding complaints; problematic sewers identified by City staff; areas where the City of performing roadway resurfacing or reconstruction; and high cost repairs. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Swinford answered questions and concerns from committee members.

b. Sanitary Sewer Lateral Pavement Reimbursement Program Update

Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett and Civil Engineer Justin Swinford presented this item. Mr. Swinford discussed sanitary sewer lateral ownership, stating that according to City Code, all costs for repairs and maintenance are the responsibility of the property owner. The Sanitary Sewer Lateral Pavement Reimbursement Program began in 2007, and has changed over the years to reimburse up to $5000 to property owners. Mr. Swinford presented three possible options to be considered in reimbursement of property owners for costs incurred with sanitary sewer later repairs. The three options offered were:

• No modification to the City policy currently being used. Owners would be eligible for reimbursement of up to 100% of a maximum amount of $5,000, for pavement removal and replacement costs within the public right-of-way.

• An increase in the maximum reimbursement from $5,000 to $6,000.

• Reimbursement would be determined by pavement repairs based on unit prices for construction items. The unit prices would be determined by the City based on historical data and proportional to the amount of work done, rather than the cost of the work. It would also allow for higher maximum reimbursement.

Alderman Smyth made a motion to direct staff to look at option three in the sanitary sewer lateral pavement reimbursement program. Alderman Madigan suggested requiring the companies to submit their unit rates to the City, forcing competitive pricing. Motion to have staff look at option three was seconded by Alderwoman Marlin and carried by voice vote.

6. Staff Report

Mayor Prussing had several items to report. She said Busey Bank will do $1.5 million renovation on their downtown building and will add 50 employees at that location; Strawberry Fields and World Harvest are going to merge and renovate; a brewery is going to be constructed on the Boneyard; renovation of 401 North Broadway into the Broadway Market; a $2.5 million renovation of the Cohen Building; and an ongoing renovation of the Stevens Building.

7. Resolution No. 2017-03-018R: A Resolution Approving an Easement

Agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Oregon Street between Gregory Street and Lincoln Avenue)

Public Works Director William Gray presented this resolution. He said this resolution is for the replacement of streetlights on Oregon Street between Lincoln Avenue and Mathews Street, Gregory Street between Oregon Street and Illinois Street and Illinois Street between Lincoln Avenue and Goodwin Avenue. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Resolution no. 2017-03-018R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Jakobsson and carried by voice vote. *Mayor Prussing left the meeting at 8:48pm and returned at 9:08pm.

8. Ordinance No. 2017-03-016: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code

Chapter 20 Concerning the Use of Rights-Of-Way (Authority to enter into and Execute Right-Of-Way Use Licenses)

Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett presented this ordinance. The ordinance clarifies the mayor’s authority to enter into and execute right-of-way agreements for the installation of underground utilities and that any utility installation on ground surface or in overhead right-of-way has to be approved by city council.

Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-03-016 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Smyth and carried by voice vote.

9. IDOT Discussion

Crime Analyst Melissa Haynes and Police Lieutenant Robert Fitzgerald presented this item. Ms. Haynes told committee members about various updates done in the last three months, some of which were:

• Addition of a “beyond scope” checkbox to traffic tickets;

• Quarterly summary of 2011-2016 UPD activities, selection and installation of crime mapping program;

• Updated benchmark;

• Submission of application for National Institute of Justice grant;

• Published traffic stop data on the Open Data Portal on the City website;

• Collaboration with the FBI, U of I professors and Fresh Start Project Specialist.

*Chair Roberts relinquished the chair to Alderman Brown from 9:30 to 9:40 to participate in the discussion.

Ms. Haynes displayed the results of years 2011 through 2015 and compared it to 2016. She also had a comparison of the first quarter of years 2011 through 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2017. She said stops of African Americans are down to 1.5 percent from 1.63 percent for the first quarter of 2017, compared to 1.63 percent for first quarter of 2011 through 2016. Committee members discussed having police officers handing a feedback card to citizens when conducting traffic stops and the cost of doing that compared to the percentage of return. Looking at implicit bias training was also discussed. Ms. Haynes and Lt. addressed questions and concerns from committee members.

10. Adjournment

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Roberts declared the meeting adjourned at 9:53 pm.

http://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/03-27-2017_Minutes_0.pdf