Chambana Sun

Champaign City Council met Aug. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

ROLL-CALL: Present: Vanna Pianfetti, Greg Stock, Alicia Beck, Tom Bruno, Clarissa Fourman, Matthe7:w Gladney, Mayor Feinen

Absent: Angie Brix, William Kyles

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Employee Introduction – City Manager David introduced three new Children’s Service librarians with the Champaign Public Library: : Laurel Halfar, Katrina Pollitt, and recently promoted Linda Kupferschmind; and noted the role of Children Services librarians.

MINUTES: None

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

ACTION ON COUNCIL BILLS

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to consolidate CB-2017-169 and CB-2017- 170. A voice vote was taken on the motion to consolidate; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2017-169, “A Resolution Approving A Grant Agreement With The Federal Emergency Management Agency For A Regional Assistance To Firefighters Grant (Fire Department – Regional Assistance To Firefighters Grant Program)”

FEMA Grant Amount $333,819

Passed CB-2017-170, “An Ordinance Amending The Annual Budget For The General Fund (Budget Amendment No. 2017/2018-1)”

City Match Amount $12,519

After a brief explanation of the Council Bills by Mayor Feinen, Council Members noted how fascinating the devices are, and how they will replace manual CPR efforts. A rollcall vote was taken; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2017-171, “An Ordinance Amending Sections 37-17; 37-59.2; 37-65.2; 37-67.3; 37-68.2; and 37-359.7 Of Chapter 37 Of The Champaign Municipal Code, 1985, As Amended (Zoning Definitions, Permitted Districts And Parking Requirements For Indoor Commercial Recreation)”

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Council Members expressed thanks to staff and the Plan Commission for bringing the changes forward; and noted the amendments will change the parking requirements for these facilities, will allow for flexibility in parking requirements, allows uses environmentally, and includes bike parking provisions. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2017-172, “An Ordinance Amending Article V Of Chapter 2 Of The Champaign Municipal Code, 1985 By Addition Of Division 10.5 (Administration - Boards, Committees And Commissions – Citizen Review Subcommittee)”

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Council Members raised the following technical questions for clarification including: increase in subcommittee size (from 3 people to 5 people); and the elimination of the exclusionary language regarding police officers and people with felony convictions to participate (correct). The following members of the audience commented regarding the formation of the citizen review committee:

• David Berg, 2103 Lynwood Dr.

• Rebecca Patterson, 609 E. Bradley

A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2017-173, “A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of A Trimble R10 GPS Unit (Public Works Department – Seiler Geospatial Division)” Purchase Amount $25,338.51

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Dave Monk, 115 N. Market, thanked Council for the prairie growing around the BYC Second Street and Scott Park area. He noted other areas in the community with growing prairie. In addition, he briefly addressed the rail area between White Heath and Seymour; and the hope for a historic rail car to have space to park in the community.

COUNCIL AMD MANAGER COMMENTS:

CM Pianfetti expressed thanks to the Legal and Neighborhood Services Department staff, and CM Brix, for their efforts in relation to addressing development of Home Owner Association, taking care of common areas, and interacting with developers. She thanked Police Chief Cobb and Neighborhood Services staff for working to address increased criminal activity (property crimes – vehicle break-ins) in southwest Champaign, and for increased patrol in the area. She reminded residents to lock car doors, remove valuables from sight, and to report any suspicious activity. In addition, she noted on Wednesday evening, August 3, 2017, Mullikin Park at 6:30, in conjunction with the Ironwood Home Owners Association, Police and Neighborhood Services staff will address property crimes issues with residents.

CM Stock thanked Neighborhood Services for the National Night Out (NNO) activities taking place this evening.

CM Gladney thanked the Police Department for their efforts in general, and particularly with increased presence in the downtown area following shots fired in downtown several weeks ago. Increased police presence has allowed many planned activities in the downtown to continue and be enjoyed.

Mayor Feinen introduced Kathryn Dulleru, Uni High student, who has been shadowing her for the day; and noted she has also been an intern at the County, and hoped these experiences would show her the difference in governmental operations. Regarding NNO, she noted the Park District was distributing pollinator plants to encourage planting for pollinators and monarch butterflies.

City Manager David asked Police Chief Cobb to provide an update regarding police efforts in relation to burglary activity across the City.

Police Chief Cobb briefly thanked Council Members for recognizing the efforts of the Police Department, and noted the department is doing its best to respond to the public’s needs. He noted property crimes, since the second half of 2015, have begun to increase.

2016 showed a 19 year high. Because of gun activity, response to property crimes has not been as quick. Chief Cobb noted the following has been implemented to address property crime activity:

• A canvass is done at the time a burglary report is taken

• Canvass is two-fold – Officers go door-to-door and speak with neighbors to develop better suspect information; and inform residents of activities taking place in their area for awareness and safety

• Directed and increased patrol in multiple neighborhoods

• With the one-time $300,000 budget increase, these funds will be used to create a property crimes unit (four-man unit for response to property crimes)

• Upcoming Study Session, September 5, 2017, to discuss the property crimes unit

VOUCHERS:

CM Bruno, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt Voucher No. 2 (vendor payments) in the amount of $3,958,801.91. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

PAYROLL:

CM Bruno, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the payroll dated July 14, 2017 in the amount of $1,945,274.28. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

INVESTMENTS: None

ADJOURNMENT:

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Probable Litigation and Performance of an Employee; followed by adjournment. A rollcall vote was taken on the motion to adjourn to Closed Session; all voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

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