Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met Sept. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Council Members Present: Vanna Pianfetti, Greg Stock, Alicia Beck, Angie Brix, Tom Bruno, Clarissa Fourman, Matthew Gladney, William Kyles, Mayor Feinen

Council Members Absent: None

Staff Present: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager; Fred Stavins, City Attorney; Terry J. Blakeman, Senior Planner for Economic Development

Others Present: None

Time Started: 7:00 p.m.

Minute Approval:

July 11, 2017 Special Regular Council Meeting July 11, 2017 Regular Study Session July 18, 2017 Regular Council Meeting

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

Topics Discussed:

Proposed Agreement Amendments For 500 North Walnut Street (New Market Commons) [SS 2017-029]

City Manager David briefly reviewed the history of the area development, noting that in 2015, Council authorized execution of an agreement with New Market Commons for redevelopment of the northeast corner of Walnut and Washington Streets. The developer has proposed changes to the original proposal. Staff will present the proposed changes, and seek Council direction on a proposal to amend the agreement to allow the development to move forward.

Staff Presentation: Planner Blakeman’s presentation included the following:

• New Market Commons Background: Original agreement approved on July 7, 2015 with concept for Common Ground Co-op; non-expansion by Common Ground; developer seeking amended agreement with multiple commercial tenants

• Project Location – Arial View, 30,000 Square Feet, Current Tenants

• Common Ground Proposal

• Revised Proposal Façade – Northern, Southern, Interior, Walnut and Washington, Retail Storefronts

• Infill Redevelopment Incentive Policy

• Requested Changes to the Existing Agreement

• Downtown Fringe Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District

• Requested Action

• Technical Questions

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration requested Council direct staff to prepare an amended and restated development agreement amendment to be placed on a future regular City Council meeting agenda.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included the following topics: inclusion of other retail versus the single Common Ground Co-op; existing tenant outcome; amount of increment versus total collected by the project; and current assessment value to be paid.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: The following member of the audience spoke regarding the proposed amended agreement, grocery possibility, and existing tenants:

Tom Harrington, New Market Commons

Council General Discussion: Council Members discussion included the following topics: thanks to staff and the developer for the amended proposal; providing the developer with a list of minority contractors to help with diversity initiative; glad for development possibility to provide growth to the northern area of downtown; hope for the possibility of a smaller grocery for area residents to obtain meat, fruits, and vegetables; the roofing truss system could have a positive architectural impact on the building, especially with modern fire protection; and future TIF District impact.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to draft an amended and restated development agreement, incorporating Council input, and place the agreement on a future regular City Council meeting agenda for consideration. The result of the poll was 9 ayes and 0 nays.

Council Rules Review [SS 2017-030]

City Manager David noted the City has many policies, rules, and ordinances that require amending as needs of the community or practices change. Council rules are the backbone for how Council conducts its business; and addresses agenda preparation for staff and public engagement. With many new Council Members, and having been some time since the rules have been reviewed, this would be an appropriate time to review and receive input on modification of Council rules.

Staff Presentation: Attorney Stavins’ presentation including the following topics:

• 1975 Rules and Brief History of the City

• Rule Function and Location in the Municipal Code – Chapter 2

• Major Rule Areas Addressed: (Council to provide input/guidance following each rule area addressed):

a) 5 ILCS 120/7 Sec. 7 (a). Attendance by a means other than physical presence – Staff noted attendance by electronic means and reasons allowed by the Open Meetings Act (OMA) – Council Members noted electronic attendance could be a distraction and impact the quality and effectiveness of the meeting; possible technical issues that could occur; could impact the existing meeting structure; constituent expectation of presence and participation; communication with the City Manager regarding agenda items; and possible impact on in-person dynamic. Council Members supported not allowing electronic attendance.

b) (2-51) Regular Meetings – Meetings Held on Legal Holiday or Election Day – Council Members noted possible distraction with wanting to monitor election activities; consider the eve of specific holidays and meeting between Christmas and New Year; not meeting the Wednesday following a holiday, having discretion to meet between Christmas and New Year, and holiday eve language not necessary. Staff to revise language for not meeting on election days and revise holiday language for review.

c) (2-52) Special Meetings; Notice - Number of Council Members to Call a Special Meeting; and Emergency Meetings (current language of three members violates the OMA, change to two members) – ability of Council Members to prevent action; agenda preparation for special meetings; and requirement for emergency meetings. Council Members agreed to reduce the number requirement to call a special meeting to 2 Council Members.

d) (2-52.2) Community Civic Events – Staff requested additional examples to be included. Council Members questioned attendance at other governmental entity functions; and type of events classified as community civic events versus social functions. Council Members to provide additional ideas to staff.

e) (2-54) Cancellation of Meeting – Staff noted the current conditions for cancelling a meeting, specifically noting the lack of a quorum; and requested Council Member consideration for more general provisions for Council to cancel a meeting. Council Members agreed.

f) (2-59) Order of Business - Formal Agenda – Adjournment – Staff requested a rules amendment for more specific rule language to address the current practice of adjournment to study session, or a closed session. Council Members agreed to the recommended change.

g) (2-58) Presentation of Agenda Items, Revisions, Additions, and Deletions – Staff requested direction to modify the ability of a Council Member to place an item on the agenda. Council Members addressed needing support for approval of an item requested to be placed on an agenda; ability to see the agenda in advance; and amending the rule. Staff noted a rule exist for placing an item on the agenda. Staff direction was to not change the rule.

h) (2-62) Request to Address the City Council (Providing Your Address) – Staff noted the current rule to require an address be provided is now a violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) based on an opinion of the Attorney General. Council members addressed various options including requesting but not requiring an address; ask for the City and or district of residence; leaving the address with the Clerk; or not providing name or address.

i) (2-80) Amendment of Rules – Staff noted six affirmative votes are required to amend Council rules; and the law requires a majority. Council agreed to amend the language to majority.

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration requested Council direction with respect to policy matters. After receiving direction, the Administration will place revisions, if required, on an upcoming regular Council meeting agenda.

Council Members’ Technical Questions and General Comments: Council Members’ technical questions were included during input component of each Council rule addressed.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: None

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ general comments were included during the input component of each Council rule addressed.

Poll: No poll was taken as Council Members’ provided direction to staff during each Council rule discussed. Staff will prepare a revision to the Council Rules as discussed, including any further input provided by Council Members, at a future Council meeting.

Audience Participation: None

Council and City Manager Comments:

CM Fourman questioned the ability to inform anyone watching a meeting, or entering the chambers during a meeting, to be advised of the agenda item being addressed.

CM Pianfetti thanked staff for the rules overview; and requested guidance or training be provided Council Members to address issues such as the use of digital media.

Mayor Feinen expanded on the training noted by CM Pianfetti to include social media, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), OMA, and records retention. In addition, she thanked Chris Warwick, AT&T lobbyist/legislative representative, for the removal of the unused tower in downtown.

City Manager David noted the request of the administration to adjourn to closed session.

CM Gladney expressed appreciation to staff for all they do; and specifically addressed staff going beyond their normal duties to prepare, attend, and participate in various community meetings and functions.

Adjournment: CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss pending and and probable litigation, followed by adjournment. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Marilyn L. Banks City Clerk

Additional information on this meeting is available as follows:

Staff prepares a Report to the City Council containing detailed information on each subject discussed at Council meetings. The subjects and Study Session (SS) numbers for this Council meeting are:

• Proposed Agreement Amendment for 500 North Walnut Street (New Market Commons) [SS 2017-029]

• Council Rules Review [SS 2017-030]

The reports are available from the City’s web site at (Council Study Session Reports), by email to CityClerk@champaignil.gov, or by calling 217-403-8940.

Video streaming of this Council meeting is available on the City’s web site for two years at http://champaignil.gov/cgtvvue/city-council-videos.html.

Almost all Council Meetings, except Community Civic Events and sessions not held in the Council Chambers, are broadcast and recorded.

City Council Meetings are broadcast on the City’s television station, CGTV (Cable channel 5), and are rebroadcast several times following each meeting. The schedule can be found on the City’s web site at CGTV - Champaign Government Television.

Audio and video recordings of Council Meetings are available by email to CityClerk@champaignil.gov or by calling 217-403-8940. Video recordings are maintained permanently; audio recordings are maintained for five years.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/0BxXlsxmGBHseNWh5SEtVdmQ1VlU