Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met August 28.

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, August 28, 2017, in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building.

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

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference: None

Elected Officials Absent: None

Staff Present: Mike Brunk; John Collins; Lorrie Pearson; Kay Meharry; Sylvia Morgan; Brian Nightlinger; James Simon

Others Present: Lili Banihasnem; Scott Dossett; Alice Englebretsen; Lois Kain; Durl Kruse; Rebecca Laurent; Marlin Livingston; Meg Miller; Members of the Media

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

There being a quorum, Chair Maryalice Wu called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:16pm, following a Special City Council meeting.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from the meeting held on August 14, 2017. Motion seconded by Alderman Miller and carried by voice vote.

3. Additions to the Agenda

*Chair Maryalice Wu announced that the City Clerk requested the removal of item 12, “Closed Session to Discuss Minutes of Closed Sessions”, and item 13, Resolution No. 2017-08-059R. There was no objection to removing those two items.

4. Public Input

Alice Englebretsen, Lois Kain, Lili Banihasnem and Rebecca Laurent invited committee members to attend a town hall that will take place at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, September 11, 2017. This event will be to discuss moving toward 100% renewable energy. Guest panelists will be State Senator Scott Bennett, State Representative Carol Ammons, Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin and Urbana Environmental Sustainability Manager Scott Tess.

Durl Kruse spoke about changes in police procedures that would help lessen the disparity in police stops.

5. Presentations

1. Urbana Sister Cities Delegation trip to Malawi

Alderman Dennis Roberts, Scott Dossett and Meg Miller presented highlights from their recent trip to Zomba, Malawi. Among the goals of the trip were to meet the newly elected municipal leaders, build rocket stoves, extend a concrete sidewalk, and deliver school supplies. The trip was partially self-funded, but also included a grant from the City of Urbana, as well as donations made from a GoFundMe page called Concrete for Guardians Feet.

After the presentation, Alderman Roberts presented Mayor Marlin with a hat and some fabric from the mayor of Zomba.

This presentation is available for viewing at:

https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Council/2017 /20170828/03._Urbana_Sister_Cities_Delagation_visit_to_Malawi.mp4

6. Staff Report

There was none.

7. Ordinance No. 2017-08-048: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance for FY2017/18 (Budget Amendment #2 - Various Items)

Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan explained the various items included in this ordinance that will be revised in the budget. Among the items are a grant for tree planting, a position reclassification, implementation of a new financial system, a work order system for public works, acquisition of 2201 South Philo Road, community development grants, social service funding, a downtown parking study, and purchase of a spray patch truck.

During discussion Operations Manager John Collins answered questions from committee members about the purchase of a spray truck.

After discussion, Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-08-048 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Jakobsson and carried by voice vote.

This item is available for viewing at:

https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Council/2017 /20170828/04._Ordinance_2017-08-048.mp4

8. Ordinance No. 2017-08-050: An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Execution of the Agreement for Termination of Lease (Cunningham Children’s Home, 1301 S. Cunningham Avenue)

Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented this ordinance. She explained that the City has held a 199 year lease since 1976 of a 0.46 acre area of land on the corner of Cunningham Avenue and Country Club Road/Perkins Road. This is part of a 3.86 acre area that Cunningham Children’s Home would like to sell for development to help fund a $14 million education and recreation center. The termination of the lease would have no fiscal impact on the City. Agreement to terminate would be made with the stipulations that Cunningham Children’s Home will try to protect existing trees in the leased area and will replace each tree removed with two new trees. They will also dedicate a forty (40) foot public right-of-way across the property along Country Club Road to the City, and allow the City’s welcome sign to remain until the leased area is sold. The City will contribute up to $50,000 toward the construction of an eight-foot wide multi-use path along the south side of Country Club Road.

Cunningham Children’s Home President and CEO Marlin Livingston spoke to the committee and answered questions and concerns.

After discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2017-08-050 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Miller and carried by voice vote.

This item is available for viewing at:

https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Council/2017 /20170828/05._Ordinance_2017-08-050.mp4

9. Resolution No. 2017-08-057R: A Resolution to Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Urbana and Illinois Department of Revenue (Inspections of Liquor Licensee Holders’ Premises)

**Alderman Miller recused himself from discussion and voting on this item, as he is an employee of a company that holds a liquor license in the City of Urbana.

Fire Chief Brian Nightlinger presented this Resolution. When asked if inspection for proper signage in gambling establishments could be included with this inspection, Chief Nightlinger said they would be able to include the signs in their inspections.

After discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-08-057R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

10. Ordinance No. 2017-08-049: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapters 1 and 14 (Regulating Special Events)

City Attorney James Simon and Operations Manager John Collins presented this ordinance. Mr. Simon told the committee that even though the City has a policy adopted in 2002 requiring sponsors of events to obtain event permits, there has never been an ordinance regulating them. He said current policy is only enforceable at events involving the sale or serving of alcoholic liquor. Mr. Simon stated there are usually no problems at most events, but a few incidents at some have involved overcrowding or fights that have posed threats to the safety or health of attendees, or damage to property. In those cases, the police and/or fire departments have been called. This ordinance would allow the City to impose restrictions and limitations, or security plans when they find it necessary, and to be prepared for the use of City resources. There was a request for the applicant age to be changed from 21 years of age to 18 for events with no alcohol included, so college students could also apply for permits.

After extensive discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2017-08- 049 in committee for further discussion. The motion was seconded by Alderman Roberts.

This presentation and discussion can be viewed at:

https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Council/2017 /20170828/07._Ordinance_2017-08-049.mp4

11. Resolution No. 2017-08-058R: A Resolution approving Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Agreements

City Arborist Mike Brunk presented this resolution. He said the City has been awarded a $15,000 tree planting grant by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Morton Arboretum to help recuperate from the trees lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer. The grant requires an equal match in local dollars, which can include the tree and stump removal. There will be no fiscal impact, because the $15,000 provided by the City will be completely reimbursed by this grant.

After discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-08-058R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Roberts and carried by voice vote.

12. Closed Session to Discuss Minutes of Closed Sessions: Review of closed session minutes pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)

*This item was removed from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.

13. Resolution No. 2017-08-059R: Resolution Regarding the Release of Closed Sessions Minutes – City Clerk

*This item was removed from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. 14. Adjournment

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Wu declared the meeting adjourned at 9:43 pm.

https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/_Agendas_-_Packets_-_Minutes/Agendas_2017/08-28-2017/08-28-2017_Minutes.pdf