Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met May 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

The City Council Committee of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, May 22, 2017, in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building.

Elected Officials Physically Present: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Dean Hazen; Eric Jakobsson; Jared Miller; Dennis Roberts; Maryalice Wu; Diane Wolfe Marlin; Charles A. Smyth

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference: None

Elected Officials Absent: None

Staff Present: Brad Bennett; Brandon Boys; Celeste Choate William Gray; Vince Gustafson; Mike Monson; Sylvia Morgan; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; John Schneider; Craig Shonkwiler; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler; Morgan White

Others Present: Elderess Melinda Carr; Terry Townsend: Members of the Media

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

There being a quorum, Chair Eric Jakobsson called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:00 pm.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from the meeting held on May 8, 2017. Motion seconded by Alderman Hazen and carried by voice vote.

3. Additions to the Agenda

There were none.

4. Petitions and Communications

Terry Townsend spoke about the need for funds to help fight K-12 student homelessness in both Champaign and Urbana. He told committee members that Bill 261, which addresses the issue of student homelessness, has passed in the Illinois House and is awaiting approval in the Illinois Senate. He said he would like both Champaign and Urbana to help with funding for homeless youth. Community Development Director Elizabeth Tyler stated that helping homelessness in all forms is included in the Consolidated Plan. After discussion, Alderman Roberts said that some research would have to be done before a response can be made to Mr. Townsend’s request. He requested that staff research the issue, then report their findings to committee members so appropriate action can be taken.

Elderess Melinda Carr did not wish to speak, but asked that her concerns about the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer problems and historic impact be entered into the record.

5. Presentations

a. Public Arts

Economic Development Director and Interim Public Arts Coordinator Brandon Boys and Public Arts Intern Morgan White presented the annual Public Arts Program Plan. After explaining the goals and objectives of the program, Mr. Boys and Mr. White went over the budget for fiscal year 2017-2018. Mr. Boys said the Public Arts fund has an additional $1,000 for the upcoming fiscal year because of a personal donation. He also stated that the General Fund will no longer contribute to the Public Arts Fund. He said he thought the fund could be sustained without it for three to four years, but would probably not be sustainable beyond that time. The total amount proposed for the Public Arts program expenditures for 2017-2018 is $65,330. There was discussion during which Mr. Boys answered questions and concerns from committee members.

b. Library Budget

Library Executive Director Celeste Choate presented the budget for 2017-2018. She said 80% of recurring expenses for the library come from the tax levy, and a possible property tax freeze at the state level and possible budget cuts on the federal level could have a great impact on some of the services the library provides. Ms. Choate spoke about necessary infrastructure work and said the Urbana Free Library Foundation voted to fund the chiller replacement at the library at a cost of $153,514. She said the Friends of the Library raise $17,000 to $20,000 each year and those funds will be used for library materials, to give the community more items to check out. Ms. Choate answered questions and concerns from committee members.

6. Staff Report

Mayor Marlin said she and Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan held seven budget briefing meetings for employees. About half of Urbana City employees attended the meetings. She said Ms. Hannan will present more budget details on Monday, June 5 and there can be a more detailed discussion about it at that time.

Mayor Marlin also acknowledged Sergeant Matt Rivers for the book he wrote and had published about the history of the Urbana Police Department.

Mayor Marlin announced at the end of the week she will begin visiting city departments.

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

Public Services Manager Vince Gustafson and Fire Chief Brian Nightlinger presented this ordinance. This ordinance is to authorize the purchase of property adjacent to the fire station on South Philo Road in order to upgrade and expand that fire station, which was built in 1969. Property purchase price was $38,000. Mr. Gustafson and Chief Nightlinger answered questions from committee members and discussion ensued.

Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-05-23 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Ammons and carried by voice vote.

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

Public Works Director William Gray, Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett, Public Facilities Manager Vince Gustafson and Assistant City Engineer Craig Shonkwiler presented this resolution. Included in this presentation were completed projects, projects in progress and future projects for the upcoming fiscal years, and it covers a planned projects for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2019. There was discussion about prioritizing of updates and repairs and the funds used for them. Mr. Shonkwiler and Mr. Gray responded to questions about MCORE funding and regulations regarding minority contractors on that and other projects. Mr. Gray clarified for committee members that the budget lists the money approved for Public Works projects and the Capital Improvement Plan assigns the dollar amounts from the budget to specific projects. Approval of the Capital Improvement Plan Resolution is approval of the projects chosen by Public Works. After discussion, Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-05-038R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Ammons and carried by voice vote.

9. Adjournment

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

http://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/COW_Minutes_05-22-2017.pdf