Chambana Sun

Urbana City Council met June 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, June 5, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building.

Elected Officials Physically Present:

Maryalice Wu, Alderwoman Ward 1

Eric Jakobsson, Alderman Ward 2

Aaron Ammons, Alderman Ward 3

Bill Brown, Alderman Ward 4

Dean Hazen, Alderman Ward 6

Jared Miller, Alderman Ward 7

Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor

Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference:

None

Elected Officials Absent:

Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5

Staff Present:

Elizabeth Hannan; Sylvia Morgan; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Kelly Mierkowski, Todd Rent, Marcus Ricci, Harley Rutledge, John Schneider, James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler

Others Present:

Brigette Pieke Terry Townsend, Clifford Singer, Bishop King James Underwood; Members of the Media

Pledge of Alliance Was Recited

A. Call to Order and Roll Call

There being a quorum, Mayor Prussing called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:19 p.m. following the Township Board meeting.

B. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve minutes from May 15, 2017(Regular meeting), City Council/Township Board Join meeting and May 22, 2017 (Special Meeting). Alderman Hazen seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

C. Additions to the Agenda

There were none.

D. Petitions and Communications

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

Terry Townsend addressed the council with concerns about student homelessness and what can be done to help alleviate this problem. He suggested that council members read an article published by the Chicago Tribune addressing student homelessness. Mr. Townsend also clarified the difference between youth homelessness, student homelessness, and homelessness in general.

E. Unfinished Business

1. Budget Presentation – Long Term Financial Issues

Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan gave an overview of the long term concerns that need to be addressed when approving the annual budget:

• Police & Fire Pension Funding

Ms. Hannan said that the current practice of funding the minimum required by state law has led the city into significantly higher future costs. In order to fund costs in the future at the minimum amount, services and would have to be cut. Ms. Hannan suggested aiming for best practice of 100% funding and use a closed period of around 15 to 20 years to pay off the past unfunded liability. Doing this will reduce the amount of future contributions.

• Investment in Infrastructure Maintenance

Deferring needed rehabilitation allows the condition of infrastructure to deteriorate to the point where more extensive reconstruction will be required making repairs more costly in the long run. Ms. Hannan gave some options to alleviate some of the burden by increasing existing sources of revenue, such as local motor fuel tax, accelerating improvements by issuing debt with an appropriate source for repayment (motor fuel tax) and consider allocating one-time revenue to capital improvements.

• State Budget Crisis

Due to the uncertainty at the state level Ms. Hannan suggested setting aside additional fund reserves and to anticipate additional reductions, avoiding mid-year budget increases and building city reserves. Some of the possible impacts that could happen are a 50% reduction in State-shared income tax that would reduce revenues by $2 million annually, or a property tax freeze that could mean a loss of $330,000 in the 2017 levy.

• Structural Deficit

Ms. Hannan explained that when recurring expenditures grow faster than recurring revenues it is difficult to balance the budget in coming years without revenue increases or service reductions. Some of the specific concerns that will affect the city are reduction in state-shared revenues and/or a property tax freeze.

Ms. Hannan gave the following recommendations for actions:

1. Implement Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) and plan for additional budget reductions

2. Schedule a City Council presentation from police and fire pension fund actuary before the 2017 tax levy

3. Revise Financial Policies - recurring expenditures – budget at 97.5% of recurring revenues

4. Public Works will evaluate funding gap for transportation infrastructures

5. State budget crisis is a critical priority – build reserves as soon as possible

6. Structural deficit should be addressed as new decisions are made about new revenues and expenses.

After the presentation, Ms. Hannan addressed questions and concerns from council members.

F. Reports of Standing Committees

1. Committee of the Whole

a. Ordinance No. 2017-05-023: An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Certain Real Estate (2201 Philo Road)

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-05-023 as forwarded from committee. Alderman Miller seconded. No discussion. Motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Jared Miller - Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Mayor Marlin - Aye

Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-05-023 was approved by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-Nay).

b. Resolution No. 2017-05-038R: A Resolution Approving the Capital Improvement Plan (2017)

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-05-038R as forwarded from committee. Alderman Hazen seconded.

Public Works Director William Gray addressed questions and concerns raised by council regarding minority participation. Alderman Brown expressed concerns that contractors and vendors working on city funded capital projects are not making adequate progress on increasing minority hiring. Alderman Brown asked to have a presentation from the Human Relations Department on what progress is being made with this and discuss how the city could incorporate minority apprenticeship programs. Alderman Ammons pointed out that there is a lack of minority business participation with any capital improvement within the City of Urbana.

Mayor Marlin said that the city is currently looking to update the procurement policies to address some of the issues that were raised tonight. Discussion ensued.

After discussion the motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-05-038 carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Abstained Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller - Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-05-038R was approved by roll call vote (5-Aye; 0-Nay; 1-Abstained).

G. Reports of Special Committees

There were none.

H. Reports of Officers

Grants Management Division Manager Kelly Mierkowski gave an overview about all of the grants that her department manages to addresses homelessness. Her department also partners with other agencies to address and meet some of those needs in the community.

Chief of Staff Mike Monson reported that the library has entered into contract to purchase the adjacent property. He also reported that the library annual fundraiser was a success, having collected over $100,000.

Mayor Marlin explained to all viewers that according to Urbana Superintendent Don Owen, a resolution addressing student homelessness was sent to Urbana, Champaign Mayors and the housing authority after it passed October 18, 2016. This resolution instructed the Housing Authority of Champaign County to form a community-wide committee to study the issue of homelessness in Champaign County. The committee would be in charge of conducting a needs assessment and would make recommendations about the resources and partnerships needed to address homelessness across the county. Unfortunately this issue was never addressed by the city council because they did not receive the information, due to Mayor’s illness at that time. Mayor Marlin clarified that even if the information had been shared, the City of Urbana does not have authority over the Champaign County Housing Authority.

Public Works Director William Gray announced a public information meeting that will be sponsored by the Department of Transportation to discuss proposed safety improvements to University Avenue corridor between Wright Street and Maple. This meeting will take place Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 4-7pm At the MTD building located at 1101 E. University Avenue.

I. New Business

1. Ordinance No. 2017-06-024: An Ordinance Approving a Major Variance (613 W. Washington Street / ZBA Case No. 2017-MAJ-03)

Planner II Marcus Ricci gave a PowerPoint presentation of Ordinance No. 2017-06- 024 with recommendation for approval. This ordinance will allow Mr. Clifford Singer and Ms. Pieke an encroachment of four feet into the required five foot west side yard setback at 613 W. Washington St. to allow for additional living space to their home.

Mr. Singer was present to answer any question. After the presentation and discussion, Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-06- 024. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons – Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller - Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-06-024 was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

2. Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions

a. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC)

1. Nancy Westcott – term ending June 30, 2018

2. Audrey Ishii – Urbana School District Representative

Mayor Marlin presented the appointments of Nancy Westcott and Audrey Ishii to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. There being no objections to the appointments. Alderman Miller made a motion to approve the appointments as presented. Alderwoman Wu seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

3. Mayoral Reappointments to Boards and Commissions

a. Police Pension Board

1. Elizabeth Hannan - term ending May 31, 2019

Mayor Marlin presented the reappointment of Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan to Police Pension Board. There being to objections or discussion Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve reappointment as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

4. Mayoral Staff Appointments

a. Director of Human Resources

1. Todd Rent

Mayor Marlin presented the staff appointment of Todd Rent to Director of Human Resources. There being no objections to the appointment, Alderman Hazen made a motion to approve the appointment as presented. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

b. Police Lieutenant

1. Harley Rutledge

Mayor Marlin presented the staff appointment of Sgt. Harley Rutledge for Police Lieutenant. There being no objections to the appointment, Alderman Miller made a motion to approve the appointment as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

J. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

http://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/CC%20MIN%20%2006-05-17%20Approved.pdf